L’avenue Des Champs-Elysées 

Félix Ziem painted this view of the Champs-Élysées with oil on canvas, using quick, loose brushstrokes. Oil paint, traditionally associated with fine art, allowed Ziem to capture the energy and atmosphere of the scene, yet this choice is also significant in understanding how the painting connects to broader social and economic systems. During Ziem's time, paint was produced industrially, making it more accessible to artists. This commercial availability aligns with the painting's subject matter: a bustling Parisian avenue, itself a symbol of modernity, commerce, and leisure. Notice how Ziem’s application of paint— thick in some areas, thin in others—creates a sense of movement and vitality. The blurry style reflects an interest in capturing a fleeting moment in time rather than a detailed record, which was very much a tendency in those years. The act of painting itself became a form of labor, as artists like Ziem navigated the art market, producing works for sale and exhibition. Understanding this context allows us to appreciate the painting not just as a representation of Parisian life, but also as a product of its time, shaped by the materials, processes, and social forces at play.