Paris by Night. 1920 Konstantin Alekseevich Korovin (1861-1939)

The painting Paris by Night. 1920 depicts a bustling street scene in Paris at night. The artist uses loose, expressive brushstrokes to capture the vibrant atmosphere of the city illuminated by streetlights and lights from buildings.

What I see:

• Lights: The dominant feature is the play of light and shadow. Yellow and white lights from windows and streetlamps create a warm glow that reflects on the wet pavement, suggesting recent rain or a damp evening. Red lights, likely from shop signs or awnings, add pops of color.
• Buildings and Architecture: In the background, indistinct buildings rise, their forms suggested rather than precisely detailed, contributing to the nighttime, slightly blurred effect. A hint of a church spire or taller building can be seen in the upper left.
• Figurative Elements: Small, silhouetted figures are scattered throughout the scene, providing a sense of scale and life. They appear to be strolling, some in pairs, others alone, suggesting a typical evening in the city. Cars, indicated by red shapes, suggest the presence of traffic.
• Trees: Trees line the street, their dark forms contrasting with the illuminated sky and buildings. Their foliage is rendered in broad strokes of color, blending with the lights.
• Atmosphere: The overall impression is one of lively, yet somewhat impressionistic, urban energy. The wet street, the warm lights, and the scattered figures evoke a sense of romance and dynamism often associated with Paris.

Subtexts:

• Modernity and Urban Life: Painted in 1920, the artwork captures the essence of a modernizing city. The presence of cars and electric lights signifies technological advancement and the evolving urban landscape of the early 20th century.
• Impressionism and Subjectivity: The painting is a clear example of impressionistic techniques. The focus is not on hyperrealism but on capturing the fleeting moment, the sensory experience of light and color, and the subjective feeling of being in Paris at night. The artist interprets the scene rather than merely documenting it.
• Romance and Enchantment of Paris: Parisian nights have long been a subject of artistic fascination, often associated with romance, art, and sophisticated urban life. The warm, inviting glow of the lights and the gentle movement of the figures contribute to this romantic perception of the city.
• Sensory Experience: The brushwork and color palette emphasize the visual and atmospheric experience. The wet sheen on the ground, the twinkling lights, and the diffused glow create a tangible sense of the night air and the ambiance of the Parisian street.
• Absence and Presence: While the figures are small and not intricately detailed, their presence signifies human activity and the social life of the city. Their indistinctness also allows the viewer to project themselves into the scene, experiencing it from their own perspective.