Place de la Bastille 

Edouard Cortes painted Place de la Bastille using oil on canvas, capturing a Parisian winter scene. Cortes, known as the "Painter of Paris," lived through significant social and political changes. His paintings often romanticize city life. Yet they also reflect the stark realities of class division, evident in the bustling streets filled with both horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles. The Place de la Bastille, historically a site of revolution, stands in the background, acting as a subtle reminder of France’s turbulent past and the ongoing struggles for equality. What is depicted in this painting is a carefully constructed image of Parisian modernity. Cortes creates an emotional experience by softening the edges of the city with snow and light. The soft glow of street lamps and shop windows invites viewers into a warm, idealized vision. This piece reveals how deeply personal narratives can be interwoven with collective histories. It gently challenges us to consider whose stories are being told and remembered.