L'Incendie des Tuileries (Fire at the Tuileries)
Painting on canvas • Georges Clairin (1843-1919)
Style & Movement
Art Pompier / Academicism / Historical Painting
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing academic realism with loose, expressive brushwork to capture smoke and atmospheric effects
Creation Period
1871
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 45 x 75 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A dramatic scene during the 'Bloody Week' of the Paris Commune in May 1871. The composition depicts Communards setting fire to the Tuileries Palace, a symbol of royal and imperial authority. Smoke billows across the sky as figures positioned among debris hold red flags. The Seine and the Quai de Conti are visible in the background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the surface appears stable with well-preserved color saturation despite age
Estimated Market Value
$40,000 - $60,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$30,000 - $50,000 USD
Provenance History
Acquired by the Musée Carnavalet (Paris) in 1907; likely remained in the artist's possession or private Parisian collections until then
Art Historical Significance
A rare contemporary visual document of the destruction of the Tuileries Palace. It marks a significant moment in French history and highlights Clairin's transition from an Orientalist painter to a chronicler of Parisian turmoil.
Notable Features
Includes a visible signature 'G. Clairin' in the lower right; depicted from the viewpoint of the Quai de Conti; currently part of the collection at the Musée Carnavalet (Inv. P. 627)
Condition Issues
Minor surface dirt and fine craquelure consistent with 19th-century oil paintings; slight yellowing of the protective varnish
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator; climate-controlled environment with UV-filtered lighting to prevent pigment fading