Metro George V 

Curator: This oil on canvas work, titled "Metro George V," comes to us from the hand of Edouard Cortes. It offers us a peek into Parisian street life. What is your first take? Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the atmospheric haze. It’s that classic impressionistic blur that gives the scene such a romantic feel. I am sensing a golden age; all it needs is to play La Vie En Rose to complete it. Curator: I notice that same atmospheric perspective, and it works in concert with a rigorous compositional structure. Note the converging lines of the street, pulling our gaze towards the Arc de Triomphe in the distance. The artist used vertical elements, the lamppost to the right of the arch, to break the flat and wide layout, leading our eyes around the buildings. Editor: You can really see how the advancements in infrastructure shaped Parisian society. The metro was transformative in how the citizens were interacting with public space. But the social stratification continues with the poor on foot and the upper classes driving motor cars. Curator: Interesting to see the work through a political lens. Let’s go back to Cortes's color palette: warm oranges and yellows contrasted with cool blues and grays, all rendered with these incredibly loose brushstrokes. There's also a palpable sense of light, particularly reflecting off the wet cobblestones. I am noticing the light tones near the building contrasted with darker hues further away. Editor: True! It is all a constructed space with purpose. This painting immortalizes a fleeting moment in time. The hustle and bustle captured on canvas represent not only a specific time, perhaps a rainy afternoon in the early 20th century but it speaks of Paris as a capital of dreams. Curator: You have successfully decoded this painting. A perfect snapshot to conclude our tour in Edouard Cortes’ Paris! Editor: Until next time, enjoy the City of Lights!