Place de la Concorde 

Edouard Cortes's "Place de la Concorde" presents a bustling Parisian scene, constructed through light and color. Notice how the architecture and figures are rendered with loose, impressionistic brushstrokes. The composition pivots around the obelisk and the fountain, anchoring the energetic movement of the square. Cortes uses light to dissolve the solidity of forms, creating an effect that is less about precise representation and more about capturing a fleeting moment. We can see a semiotic system in place here, where each element—the fountain, the obelisk, the figures—acts as a signifier of Parisian life. The painting destabilizes the traditional, static view of cityscapes by emphasizing movement, capturing the ephemeral qualities of modern urban existence. The shimmering quality of the fountain, achieved through broken brushwork and varied tones, exemplifies Cortes's skill. This use of light and form mirrors the broader artistic concerns of the time, reflecting the changing experience of space and perception in the modern world. As such, this painting challenges fixed meanings, and encourages ongoing interpretation.