La rue San Jacques, Paris c. 20th century

Curator: This is Herman Armour Webster's "La rue San Jacques, Paris." Editor: It's like a memory, faded and charming, all sepia tones and whispered stories. Curator: Webster, born in 1878, captured a Paris that was already steeped in history, a city of grand boulevards and intimate side streets. Note how the composition draws the eye down the lane. Editor: It's romantic, the way the buildings lean in, almost gossiping. Curator: Urban scenes like this were popular subjects at the time, reflecting a fascination with the changing face of modern cities. Editor: I wonder what those figures are thinking, hurrying down that lane? Curator: It’s the transient nature of city life that appeals to me most. Editor: I like how it invites you to daydream!