Fontenay Aux Roses, probablement la cour intérieure du 24 rue Boucicaut 1911

Fernand Combes captured this view of Fontenay Aux Roses with an evocative interplay of light and shadow using graphite and chalk. Here, the tight, narrow perspective draws us into the heart of the old town, almost like a stage. A lone figure walks towards us beneath an archway; their anonymity turns them into a representation of all wanderers and travelers. The figure's presence calls to mind the flâneur, or stroller, a symbol of modernity in nineteenth-century art and literature who wanders city streets to experience and understand the urban landscape. Consider how such a figure, though contemporary, echoes the ancient archetype of the traveler—Odysseus, perhaps—forever seeking home but constantly transformed by their journeys. The image stirs a potent emotional response, touching upon our collective subconscious fascination with journey, discovery, and the human spirit's enduring quest. It reflects a timeless narrative, resurfacing through generations in ever-evolving forms.