Evening Passage

There are many narrow streets in Bordeaux, particularly around the centre. Some hide the doorways to the restaurant’s kitchens behind Rue St Remy, others have shady doorways leading to upstairs apartments and meeting rooms. These passageways are full of mystery and intrigue and lead to a rabbit warren like maze of twists and turns where it easy to lose one’s bearings. Between the tall limestone buildings, typical of Bordeaux, large copper lacquered streetlights stretch out from the walls or are suspended high above the alleyways, bathing the atmosphere in an eery golden light.

I was attracted to this scene by the loitering of the lads in this dimly lit passage. The passage itself is of no great significance, seemingly one of back doors, the odd gloomy city apartment and rubbish bins. But the passage invites us to venture farther, with the promise of a richer architecture and brighter lit street at its end. Curiosity will always get the better of us!

Artist’s note:
A warm red under painting was used in this piece to give a glow to the yellow and ochre tones and lift the browns. Hints of forest greens in the deep shadows complement the red tones bringing a harmony to the palette of colours.