Les Grands Boulevards, Sous la Neige 

Antoine Blanchard captured the Grands Boulevards under snow with oil on canvas, a scene echoing the belle époque. The horse-drawn carriages symbolize transit and transformation. Consider the image of the horse and carriage. Across cultures, it represents not just travel but also status and the journey through life. We see echoes of this motif in ancient Roman chariots, medieval processions, and even modern-day hearses, each carrying its own emotional weight. Like the winged horse Pegasus, the image captures a dynamic moment of passage, freedom, and aspiration. The snow, too, is not merely weather but a veil, obscuring yet illuminating, inviting introspection and reflection. This collective memory engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level, evoking longing for simpler, perhaps idealized times. Thus, these symbols are not static; they evolve, resurface, and take on new meanings, creating a rich tapestry of human experience.