Une rue de village 

"Une rue de village" is a monochromatic scene created by Emile Bernard, capturing a street in what seems to be a rural village. Bernard painted this after he broke away from the academic styles of his formal training, during a period of intense artistic exploration. He was committed to synthesizing subjective experience with visual observation. The image is composed of buildings that loom over the street, almost threatening to encroach on the space of the two figures walking by. The dramatic use of light and shadow adds a psychological depth to the scene, making the ordinary appear uncanny. We are left to consider the impact of urbanization on rural life, particularly the emotional experiences of those who live there. Bernard was interested in how art could reflect inner states, and this work is a testament to his belief that art should evoke feeling and reflect the subjective realities of modern life.