Omnibus on a Boulevard
1895 - 1905
Frédéric Houbron captures the chaotic energy of a late 19th-century Parisian boulevard in this lively sketch, likely created around the turn of the century. A horse-drawn omnibus, packed with adventurous passengers riding on the roof, dominates the center, navigating a busy street filled with pedestrians and bare trees. The loose, rapid lines suggest the artist was working quickly en plein air, trying to freeze a fleeting moment of urban transit before the automobile completely took over. It's a charming, energetic glimpse into the daily commute of the Belle Époque, reminding us that public transport used to be a much noisier, horse-powered affair!