Square de la mairie du 14ème arrondissement, rue Mouton Duvernet, 18 juin 1917 (1917)

Félix Brard's enchanting watercolor titled "Square de la mairie du 14ème arrondissement, rue Mouton Duvernet, 18 juin 1917" offers a picturesque snapshot of Parisian life during the early 20th century. Captured on June 18, 1917, this painting highlights the lush tranquility of a green space tucked away in Paris's 14th arrondissement.The artwork lushly portrays the dense foliage of mature trees, under which a variety of hues and textures coalesce to create a vibrant yet serene park setting. Dominating the landscape is a striking statue, around which the park life seems to unfold. The play of light through the leaves, combined with the gentle shadows cast by the trees, lends the scene a peaceful, almost idyllic quality.In the foreground, the daily life of the locale is beautifully animated with children at play. Some are captured in the midst of games, while others are sprawled leisurely on the grass, embodying the carefree spirit often associated with childhood. The children and their activities add a dynamic and joyful element to the composition, contrasting with the steady and timeless presence of the statue and the trees.Brard’s use of watercolor enhances the softness and fluidity of the scene, allowing the elements of light and nature to blend together harmoniously. The overall effect is one of a tranquil, everyday moment frozen in time, inviting viewers to step back into a Parisian day under the June sun of 1917.