Paris Fire (Interior of the Ministry of Finance) 1871

Charles Soulier's photograph *Paris Fire (Interior of the Ministry of Finance)*, taken in 1871, captures the aftermath of the Paris Commune, a brief but intense period of revolutionary rule in the city. This poignant image shows the destroyed interior of the Ministry of Finance, highlighting the devastation and chaos of the conflict. Soulier’s use of a straightforward, documentary style emphasizes the scale of destruction, underscoring the political and social upheaval of the era. The photograph's inclusion in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection places it within a broader historical context of 19th-century photography and its role in documenting significant events.