The Concorde Square, Le Soir 

Edouard Cortes captured the Place de la Concorde on canvas with oil, presenting a bustling Parisian evening. Dominating the scene, the obelisk stands tall, a symbol laden with history. Originally erected in ancient Egypt to honor the sun god Ra, these monoliths were later appropriated by Roman emperors and, still later, found their way into the heart of Paris. This act of appropriation and re-contextualization speaks volumes. The obelisk, once a beacon of divine power, became a symbol of imperial dominance, and finally, a landmark in a modern city. It is a powerful psychological imprint, rooted in collective memory, which creates a tangible connection to the past. Consider how such symbols evolve, their meanings layered through time. In the gleam of streetlights and the hustle of Parisian life, we see not just a snapshot of a city, but a palimpsest of human endeavor, a continuing cultural narrative.