New Bridge 

Edouard Cortes painted "New Bridge", a scene brimming with symbols of transition and connection. The bridge itself, the Pont Neuf, signifies a link between the old and the new, a stage for modern Parisian life against a backdrop of historical architecture. Observe the equestrian statue, a motif echoing back to antiquity. It has appeared in many forms, such as the Marcus Aurelius statue in Rome. From antiquity through the Renaissance and up to the present day, the horse and rider symbolize power, control, and the triumphant spirit, yet here it seems softened, integrated into the everyday rhythm of city life. The gas lamps, glowing like ancient beacons, illuminate the flow of people, each carrying their stories, their hopes, their subconscious desires. This image taps into our collective memory of urban life, the continuous stream of faces and fleeting moments. The bridge, a symbolic passage, invites us to reflect on the ever-present interplay between the past and the present. It calls to mind the ways in which symbols resurface, adapt, and transform, mirroring the ebb and flow of history.