Paris by Night 1920 - Konstantin Korovin - Impressionism

"Paris by Night" by Konstantin Korovin captures a bustling Parisian street scene at night, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. The composition is centered around a lively café, its striped awning illuminated by the glow of the lights under it, with the bold lettering "Café de la Paix" visible, suggesting the name of the establishment. To the right, the grand architecture of what appears to be an opera house, possibly the Palais Garnier, looms majestically with its lit windows and classical façade, its details rendered with a mixture of precision and impressionistic brushstrokes.

The scene is vibrant with urban life; pedestrians stroll and mingle, some under the trees that add a touch of green to the otherwise warm and cool hues of the cityscape. Horses and carriages move along the street, indicating a time before the advent of automobiles as the primary means of transportation.

Reflected lights create glistening effects on the wet ground, suggesting recent rain. The sky is dusky, painted in tones of blue and grey, giving way to the artificial lights that dominate the scene. The artist's use of light and shadow, along with the loose brushwork, imbues the painting with a dynamic energy and a sense of the transient moments of city life.

Dimensions:  6000 x 4800

Print Size:  20 x 16 inches

300 dpi

Public Domain Image