Place Pigalle, Winter 

Edouard Cortes captured Place Pigalle in winter with oil on canvas, creating a scene dominated by cool blues and greys punctuated by the warm glow of streetlights. The composition is structured around the circular flow of the plaza, directing the viewer's eye through a bustling crowd and snowy streets. Cortes masterfully uses light to define form and create atmosphere. The stark contrast between the lit areas and the shadows emphasizes the geometry of the buildings and the movement of people. This play of light and shadow destabilizes the clarity of form, suggesting an influence of Impressionism, yet the clear architectural lines maintain a classical structure. The brushwork, though loose, is deliberate. Each stroke contributes to a sense of depth and texture, reflecting the sensory experience of a winter evening in Paris. Cortes invites us not just to see the scene, but to feel its atmosphere. The painting stands as a testament to how formal elements combine to evoke a distinct sense of place and time.