The fire 1851

"The Fire," a 1851 painting by Alexandre Antigna, depicts a family fleeing their burning home. The artwork, currently housed in the Musée des Beaux-Arts d'Orléans, portrays a woman carrying a young child while a second child clings to her dress, while a man scrambles to escape through a window. The painting captures the panic and desperation of the scene, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The use of strong light and shadow creates a sense of immediacy and drama. The painting's realism and emotional weight resonated with audiences of the time, who were increasingly aware of the dangers of fire and the fragility of life.