Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe 

Antoine Blanchard painted this view of the Champs Élysées and Arc de Triomphe, in Paris, with oil on canvas. Blanchard was one of a number of artists who made a career in the mid-20th century, painting scenes of Parisian life and architecture, recalling the Belle Époque. The Arc de Triomphe looms over the city, embodying the power of the state while dwarfing the figures who navigate the scene. This art embodies a sense of national pride and an idyllic vision of urban life in France. To truly understand the role of this art, we might consider the culture of tourism and the marketing of Paris as a destination with a glorious past. We might consult historical city plans, tourist guides, and other images of Paris, in order to better understand the role of this art in shaping our vision of the city.