Paris Incendie: nuit du 24 au 25 mai, 1871.  This is a rare and spectacular panoramic view of Paris burning during the Commune of 1871.  In March 1871, the Garde Nationale overthrew the Municipal Government and proclaimed Paris a free town.  The regular army was disarmed and the mobs began a 2nd Reign of Terror in which pillage and murder were common.  Not until the captured armies of Sedan and Metz had been re-armed at Versailles was a remedy possible.

 

Between May 21-28, 1871, known as The Bloody Week, Government troops began to re-assert control, forcing the rebels from street to street and barricade to barricade.  Both sides were ruthless.  The Communards murdered hostages, set fire to many prominent buildings and attempted to blow up the Cathedral of Notre Dame.  An estimated 20,000 Parisiens were killed at the barricades and elsewhere during this time, while the German Army of Occupation looked on without interference.  This magnificent stone lithograph is hand finished with highlights in gum arabic, the image 20 1/2 x 32 1/2 inches plus margins, which include title, key identifying the numerous buildings on fire and. handsome wood frame, 35 1/2 x 42 inches. Lithograph by Charles Fichol, printed by Martinet and published by Lemercier et Cie, Paris, c.1871.  There are some minor creases on the left side not affecting the image.