Champs-Élysées 

Edouard Cortes captured the Champs-Élysées in paint, its fashionable promenades filled with figures and horse-drawn carriages. Dominating the scene is the Arc de Triomphe, a triumphal arch evoking ancient Roman ideals of glory and imperial power. Arches, as symbols of triumph, have permeated art for centuries, from Roman monuments to Renaissance processional depictions. The arch represents not only military victory, but also the cyclical nature of history, and the recurring human desire for recognition. The Champs-Élysées itself becomes a stage for this cyclical drama, where individuals enact their roles within a broader historical narrative. This reflects the enduring power of images to connect us to the past, shaping our understanding of the present, and stirring unconscious feelings. The arch, therefore, is more than stone and mortar; it represents the perpetual aspiration for greatness embedded within the collective psyche, which resonates across time and cultures.