Quai St. Michel, Notre Dame 

Antoine Blanchard painted Quai St. Michel, Notre Dame in his signature style, capturing a romanticized vision of Paris. Blanchard's work often evokes nostalgia for a bygone era, reflecting a France of horse-drawn carriages. Consider the socio-economic context of Blanchard's work; his paintings catered to tourists and collectors seeking an idealized, pre-war Parisian identity, untouched by the complexities of modern life. The figures, mostly bourgeois, suggest a narrative of Parisian life that is distinctly upper class and white, overlooking the diverse realities of the city. The presence of Notre Dame looms in the background, a symbol of French cultural heritage. Blanchard provides a particular narrative, one where the past is preserved, and where the city's identity is carefully curated. While aesthetically pleasing, the painting invites us to consider whose stories are being told. It offers an emotional connection to an idealized past, while subtly reminding us of the selective nature of memory and representation.