Tower Saint Jacques 

Curator: Edouard Cortes gives us a slice of Parisian life in his oil painting, "Tower Saint Jacques." Editor: There's an almost theatrical quality to the scene; a stage lit by gas lamps. A palpable feeling of a chilly evening. Curator: Absolutely. Think about Paris in this era, and the transformations reshaping the city. The "Tower Saint Jacques" acts as this silent witness amidst Haussmannization's sweeping changes, representing an enduring history as the city is modernized. Editor: Yes, the Tower Saint Jacques dominates as the subject. Note its solid vertical presence amidst all the ephemeral energy of city life at its base. It makes me wonder about how it's always existed there. Curator: This tower was built in the 16th century. The placement is incredibly symbolic – think about religious power structures but also urban renewal's effects. The choice to feature it like this speaks volumes about continuity and resistance. It makes me consider what landmarks define our own lived experience today, and how progress shapes what we deem as meaningful from the past. Editor: In a city always in flux, such structures become potent symbols of collective memory. We assign new narratives to them with each era as their symbolic currency increases. Curator: We might consider its function over time. Now it’s this monument that lives inside of modern life and that makes me consider issues related to access. This tower then reminds of who has the privilege of defining history, the ability to change it, and whose stories are remembered. Editor: Cortes has distilled the heart of urban existence to the canvas so well. This interplay between stone and ephemera leaves a lasting echo. Curator: Yes, I feel like I learned something about both art and history. Thank you for discussing it with me!