[Member of the Paris Commune: Marie Chérel, perpétuité, pillage et incendie] 1871

Ernest Eugène Appert created this albumen silver print of Marie Chérel, a member of the Paris Commune, sometime in the late 19th century. Appert was known for creating photographic montages that depicted the crimes of the Communards. Chérel was one of many women who actively participated in the Paris Commune of 1871, a radical socialist government that briefly ruled Paris. These women came from various backgrounds, united by their desire for social reform and gender equality. They challenged traditional gender roles and fought for issues like education, labor rights, and political representation. This photograph, however, was created by the French government, which sought to demonize the members of the Commune, particularly the women. It sought to discredit their political actions and erase their contributions. The image, inscribed with “perpetuité, pillage et incendie,” links Chérel to crimes of "theft" and "arson," effectively casting her as a criminal rather than a political actor. The photograph is a painful reminder of how easily narratives can be manipulated. It also reveals the vulnerability of those who challenge existing power structures.