La Pharmacie Jules Pascin (1885-1930)

The drawing presents a street scene dominated by a pharmacy storefront. The composition is structured around this central element, with a shop sign proclaiming PHARMACIE repeated in upper and lower cases. To the left of the pharmacy, a smaller establishment is visible, identified by the inscription “A LA PAIX.” This suggests a sense of everyday life, perhaps a café or small business offering respite.
The artist employed a muted palette of grays and whites, creating an atmosphere that feels overcast and somewhat melancholic. The application of watercolor appears loose and gestural, contributing to a sketch-like quality rather than a polished finish. Lines are simple and often incomplete, conveying a sense of immediacy and observation.
Several figures populate the scene. A man stands prominently in front of the pharmacy, his posture suggesting either waiting or engagement with someone unseen. Inside the pharmacy, several individuals are gathered; one appears to be attending to a child, while others sit at a counter or within the space. These groupings imply social interaction and routine activities.
The architectural elements – the walls, windows, and awnings – are rendered in a simplified manner, emphasizing their basic forms rather than detailed ornamentation. The overall effect is one of quiet observation, capturing a moment of ordinary life under subdued conditions.
Subtleties within the drawing hint at deeper meanings. The presence of the pharmacy itself could be interpreted as symbolic of healing and sustenance, perhaps offering a counterpoint to an underlying sense of unease or hardship suggested by the somber tones and simplified forms. The inscription A LA PAIX (At Peace) juxtaposed with the pharmacy’s function creates a subtle tension – a yearning for tranquility within a potentially troubled environment. The sketch-like quality, combined with the muted colors, evokes a feeling of fragility and transience, as if capturing a fleeting moment in time that is easily lost.