Caf de la Paix, Paris 

Edouard Cortes painted this Parisian scene using oil on canvas, an established medium that allowed him to quickly capture the fleeting atmosphere of the city. The thick application of paint gives texture to the falling snow and bustling crowds. Notice how Cortes uses short, broken brushstrokes to render the figures, their forms almost dissolving into the wintry milieu. The Café de la Paix, glowing warmly, beckons patrons, and we see the city’s industry in the horse-drawn carriages and figures, all captured in shades of grey, brown, and white. This wasn't just about recording a place; it was about bottling up a moment in time. The painting acknowledges a world of labor and leisure, commerce and culture. By carefully constructing the image, Cortes elevates an everyday scene to the realm of fine art.