Place de la Republic 

Antoine Blanchard's "Place de la Republique" is an oil painting depicting a bustling Parisian square, rendered with quick, impressionistic brushstrokes. Blanchard’s technique emphasizes efficiency, allowing him to capture the essence of a scene with minimal effort. The visible brushwork and blending create a sense of movement and atmosphere, particularly in the wet streets. The way the buildings and people are sketched in is interesting, because this approach to cityscapes links art and industry – think of the way architectural renderings and other plans were made using oil paint. It was a means of representing the built environment that was perfectly tuned to the pace of urban development. It's fair to say that Blanchard churned out paintings like this one with an expert hand; the commercial demands of the art market are very much in evidence. The painting shows us the Place de la Republique, but also the realities of artistic labor, supply and demand, and consumption.