Michel Delacroix, eternal Paris

The paintings in this book show clearly the artistry and passion of Michel Delacroix for his beloved city - "eternal Paris." They allow the viewer to walk backward in time and visit prewar Europe when Paris, queen of cities, was an epicenter of the world. Many of the scenes are drawn from the artist's childhood memories, when, during World War II, Paris briefly returned to the days of horse and carriage. Other scenes are born from his imagination, giving reality to the Paris that exists in the mind's eye, an idealized world that grants the viewer momentary relief from the complexities and pressures of modern life. It may be an illusion that life was once simpler, but it is an illusion that we cling to because it allows us reprieve from the challenges and mundane nature of everyday life.