St.Denis, Winter 

Edouard Cortes captured this Parisian street in winter with oil on canvas. Here, lamplight and the glow of shop windows serve as symbols of warmth and life, piercing through the cold, muted tones of a snowy evening. The motif of light against darkness is ancient, echoing the eternal struggle between opposing forces that we see played out across history and cultures. Think of the Greek myth of Apollo and the serpent Python, where Apollo, the god of light, triumphs over the darkness embodied by the serpent. This symbolism finds a modern echo here in Cortes' painting. The warm light beckons us, offering a sense of hope and refuge from the bleakness of winter, tapping into a deep-seated, collective memory of seeking light in times of darkness. This pursuit of light, both literal and metaphorical, reflects our enduring human quest for meaning and comfort. The emotional pull of such imagery is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, reassuring us of the cyclical return of warmth and life.