Place de Montrouge, square de la Mairie (1915)

In the artwork "Place de Montrouge, square de la Mairie" painted in 1915 by Félix Brard, one glimpses into a vibrant yet serene moment capturing the innocent and playful essence of childhood. The scene unfolds in a lush public square, nestled amidst tall, slender trees that canopy the area, casting both shadow and filtered sunlight onto the ground below. The earthy tones of the autumnal leaves blend harmoniously with the soft greens and browns, setting a gentle, inviting atmosphere.The painting is bustling with activity; it predominantly features children engaged in various playful endeavors. To the right, a group of boys can be seen climbing and balancing on a wooden see-saw, their expressions reflecting the joy and thrill of the game. Meanwhile, another child in the foreground plays soldier, earnest and focused amid his pretend play. The left side of the canvas is balanced with a quieter but equally engaging scene where two girls observe their surroundings, possibly taking a break from the day's adventures.What makes Brard’s work compelling is not just its depiction of activity but also the sense of community and timelessness it evokes. The background, subtly populated by figures that meld into the scene, hints at the wider community beyond the park’s confines. Here, children play under the watchful eyes of their community—a safe haven against the calm, urban backdrop of the Place de Montrouge.Félix Brard masterfully uses muted yet rich colors and detailed brushwork to invite the viewer into a snapshot of everyday life in early 20th-century Paris.