The funny thing about art-history is that it often gives us a taste of experiences that get re-ignited when we travel. And then there’s the overlap of time-periods in different parts of the world that seem to show more similarities and connections in histories than differences. So, it’s an inexplicable thrill to visit places that feel like walking into paintings. I went to Provins, a medieval town in north-central France, earlier today. The town hosted one of the biggest trade fairs in Europe during the 12th and 13th centuries and was considered a melting pot that brought people from all over Europe and Asia. The panoramic views of Provins, from the Tower of Caesar reminded me of landscapes and architecture from a Sienese paintings or Pieter Brueghel’s, but with ant-like cars dotting the roads and and winding their way through narrow lanes. 
Malavika Rajnarayan 