On the Boulevard

Parisian streets imbued with the elegant atmosphere of the Belle Époque, and people passing by in sophisticated attire.

At a time when his Impressionist peers were successively leaving Paris in search of natural light, heading towards rural landscapes, the painter Jean Béraud, while discussing art with Manet, Degas, and others in cafes, chose to remain in the city alone.

What captivated him was the appearance of the modern city, reborn through extensive renovations, and the daily lives of the "flâneurs" who wandered aimlessly along its wide streets. To capture people's natural behavior as it unfolded, he transformed his carriage into a "mobile studio" so as not to be noticed by those around him.

From the dimly lit interior of his carriage, with the blinds drawn, he held his breath and tirelessly continued to paint the urban drama unfolding beyond the window.

What is depicted there is neither dramatic events nor grand landscapes. It is the ordinary urban life itself: the familiar advertising column (Morris column) standing on the left, and people dressed up, strolling through the city.

The boulevards that he, who walked a unique path different from his peers and came to be known as the "painter of modern life," continued to observe. In his soft brushstrokes resides the painter's quiet yet passionate gaze, attempting to eternally capture the changing bustle of Paris.