Ruïne van de Salle des pas perdus in Parijs na de brand van 1871 1871

Gabrielle-Marie Niel made this print of the Ruin of the Salle des pas perdus in Paris after the fire of 1871, using etching. The composition arranges the skeletal remains of the building in a series of receding arches, drawing the eye deep into the scene of devastation. Niel masterfully uses line to convey texture and depth, contrasting the rough, broken surfaces of the ruins with the delicate rendering of light filtering through the shattered roof. The interplay of light and shadow creates a somber mood, emphasizing the ruin's grandeur and the tragic loss it represents. The print captures not just physical destruction but also a symbolic rupture. The meticulous detail and stark contrasts invite us to reflect on the fragility of civilization and the enduring power of art to memorialize such events.