Boulevard a Paris 

Curator: Before us hangs Édouard Cortès’ “Boulevard a Paris," an atmospheric dance rendered in oil. What impressions does it strike in you? Editor: Ooh, it feels like stepping into a time capsule. The warm glow of the shops against the muted sky—it’s romantically melancholic, like a song you can almost hear. And those reflections on the wet street! Just stunning. Curator: Indeed. Cortès, master of capturing Parisian street life, employs a meticulous layering of color, allowing the light to truly sing. Observe how the verticals of the buildings are softened, almost blurred by the atmospheric conditions. The architecture seems to breathe. Editor: I'm struck by the people. They're these shadowy figures, absorbed by the city's pulse. It reminds me of Degas, but less confrontational. More...gentle. You get the sense that he's not just documenting, but actually feels for the city. Curator: Precisely. The lack of sharp lines aids that emotive interpretation, as does the elevated point of view. The artist doesn’t directly insert the viewer in the hustle but keeps you slightly detached, a silent observer of Parisian grandeur. Editor: What's curious is the impressionistic blur mixed with a certain clarity of the streetlamps and shops. There's almost a dreamlike state, like remembering a perfect night out from the past. Curator: It's through this selective emphasis and softened linearity that Cortès manipulates depth. Note also his application of impasto – the thicker paint application – creating texture that captures the tangible dampness of the Parisian air. Editor: The entire canvas shimmers with an internal light. Makes me want to light a candle and watch an old movie, really lean into the nostalgia. Curator: It’s a sentiment Cortès manages to conjure with deftness. He freezes a moment of timeless elegance. Editor: So it does. Looking at this piece really gives me something to consider... maybe time isn't a straight line after all, maybe it loops back through memories like this one. Curator: An astute observation, offering testament to the enduring allure and timeless qualities present in "Boulevard a Paris."