Fire at the Charity Bazaar - Lot 44

Lot n° 44
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Estimation :
300 - 500 EUR
Fire at the Charity Bazaar - Lot 44
Fire at the Charity Bazaar Gouache with white highlights, signed lower left, 28 x 38 cm On May 4, 1897, in Paris on Rue Jean-Goujon, the 13th edition of the Charity Bazaar took place—a high-society event organized by the Catholic aristocracy to benefit charitable causes. In a wooden and canvas structure erected for the occasion, approximately 1,200 people—mostly high-society women dressed in flammable gowns—crowded among the booths and attractions. Around 4:15 p.m., during a cinematograph screening, ether fumes ignited. The fire spread at lightning speed through the papier-mâché and fabric decor. Panic reigned: exits were poorly marked, and doors were blocked. Within minutes, the inferno engulfed the building. The toll was devastating: 125 to 126 dead, including 118 women, among them the Duchess of Alençon, sister of Empress Sissi. This disaster left an indelible mark on Parisian history and led to advances in fire safety.
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