Rue Cassini. 9ème arrondissement 1865 - 1875

Editor: This is Johan Barthold Jongkind's "Rue Cassini, 9ème arrondissement", a pencil drawing created sometime between 1865 and 1875. It feels like a quick sketch, capturing a fleeting moment in a Parisian street. What do you see in this piece that goes beyond just a simple street scene? Curator: Beyond the apparent impressionistic cityscape, I see a document of urban transformation and social stratification. Consider Haussmann's renovation of Paris, which occurred during this period. It displaced many working-class residents. Do you think this drawing engages with that disruption? Editor: It’s hard to say definitively. The figures seem anonymous, almost swallowed by the scene. The sketchy style could mean he was less concerned with exact representation and more concerned with the vibe, like it's almost a memory. Curator: Exactly. And whose memory? Jongkind, an outsider, chronicling a rapidly changing Paris. His position as a Dutch artist observing French society adds another layer of complexity. He isn't part of the system. Does his outsider perspective allow for a critical reading of the Parisian social fabric? Consider how he positions himself in relation to these Parisian flâneurs. Editor: That's fascinating, the idea of Jongkind as an observer commenting on a society he's not fully part of, especially within the context of such huge social shifts in Paris. I initially saw it as just a nice, quick drawing but seeing it this way adds so much. Curator: It invites us to think about whose stories are told and how those stories are shaped by social and historical forces. Editor: Absolutely, viewing it this way really enriched the artwork. I appreciate that expanded view! Curator: And your willingness to engage with a broader interpretation is key.