Caf de la Paix, Paris 

Edouard Cortes painted this evocative oil on canvas of the Café de la Paix in Paris. Born in France to a family of artists, Cortes' work is shaped by his deep connection to Parisian life and a desire to capture its fleeting moments. In his paintings, Cortes often depicts everyday scenes with a focus on the city's architecture and atmosphere. What's interesting about this painting is how it captures a moment in time; looking closer, it's impossible to ignore how gender and class are on display through fashion and activity. In the early 20th century, the Cafe de la Paix was a gathering place for the city’s elite; a place where one went to be seen. But beyond the surface of high society, there is something melancholic. Like a window into the past, this painting reminds us that the beauty of a moment is often interwoven with the knowledge of its ephemerality.