Auguste Bry Gallery

Soldiers of the Garde Nationale, Siege of Paris, 1870-1871. Artist: Auguste Bry

Soldiers of the Garde Nationale, Siege of Paris, 1870-1871. Two hungry soldiers filling up jerrycans with water and dreaming of having soup to eat. After the disastrous defeat of the French at Sedan and the capture of Napoleon III, the Prussians surrounded Paris on 9 September 1870, besieging the city until its eventual surrender in January 1871. The Garde Nationale was an army recruited from the citizenry of Paris to defend it against any Prussian assault. They were instrumental in the overthrow of the government in March 1871 and the establishment of the Paris Commune. From a private collection

© Art Media - Private Collection / Heritage-Images

Deux heures, c'est si vite passe quand il fait beau, Siege of Paris, 1870-1871 (1871). Artist: Auguste Bry

Deux heures, c'est si vite passe quand il fait beau, Siege of Paris, 1870-1871 (1871). A reluctant-looking group of French soldiers preparing to go on sentry duty at the front line. After the disastrous defeat of the French at Sedan and the capture of Napoleon III, the Prussians surrounded Paris on 9 September 1870. The city held out despite famine, disease and cold until a bombardment with heavy siege guns led to its surrender on 28 January 1871. From a private collection

© Art Media - Private Collection / Heritage-Images