View of Angoulême

About this work

This painting shows a quiet street in Angoulême, France. The buildings line up in neat rows, their rooftops sharp against soft, blurry trees. A breeze seems to ripple the leaves—an effect caused by the long camera exposure time. Hossard wasn’t painting grand landmarks. He focused on ordinary houses and courtyards, giving them a gentle, lived-in look. The mix of straight lines and flowing shapes feels balanced, almost modern. Try looking up Paul Michel Hossard (French, 1787–1862).