Gezicht op de Rue Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre te Parijs 1862 - 1913

Alexis Forel created this etching of the Rue Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre in Paris. Forel, a Swiss artist, produced this work during a time of significant urban transformation in Paris. The image captures a seemingly quiet, intimate corner of the city. Yet it subtly reflects the larger societal shifts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Note how the architecture looms, dwarfing the figures of the people on the street; they seem almost anonymous, their identities obscured. The lone woman, perhaps a nun, suggests a traditional way of life, while the street itself hints at the encroachment of modernity. There’s a palpable sense of solitude, a feeling of being lost in the urban landscape. The contrast between light and shadow creates an atmosphere of mystery. Does it evoke a sense of longing for a past that is slipping away? This image serves as a mirror to the anxieties and alienation of modern life. It's a scene that invites you to reflect on your own place within the ever-changing city.