Champs-Élysées 

Edouard Cortes captures the pulse of Parisian life in this vibrant painting of the Champs-Élysées. Born in France to a family of artists, Cortes was known for his ability to depict the city's streets with a unique blend of realism and romanticism. This painting transports us to a bustling avenue, where horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians share the space beneath the warm glow of street lamps. Note the Triumphal Arch in the distance, a symbol of French national identity and military power, silently overseeing the everyday lives of Parisians. The woman and child in the foreground invite us to consider the role of women and families in shaping the social fabric of the city. Cortes avoids grand narratives, choosing instead to focus on the ordinary moments of city life. His paintings evoke a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era, inviting viewers to reflect on the ever-changing nature of urban experience.