Station De L'Est 

Édouard Cortès painted this oil on canvas, Station De L'Est, representing a Parisian train station and its surrounding streetscape. Born into a family of artists, Cortès, self-described as a "painter of Paris," captured the city's daily life and evolving urban landscape. What strikes me about this piece is how Cortès navigates the rapid societal changes of early 20th-century Paris. The painting hints at the experiences of the working class, the bourgeoisie, and the new forms of transit, like trains and horse carriages, that shaped the city's pulse. The gaslights and illuminated shop windows compete with the subdued daylight, mirroring the transition from traditional to modern life. While Cortès avoids overt social commentary, the painting reflects the era's burgeoning consumer culture. The figures, mostly women, are seen engaging with the commercial spaces, suggesting their increasing presence and influence in public life. Station De L'Est captures a moment in time, inviting us to reflect on the human experience amidst the rise of modernity.