Léon Gimpel’s photojournalistic instincts made him keen to capture the historic moment of France’s victory. He was aware of the emotive impact of the well-chosen image, and the symbolism of national monuments such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre was put to good use.
Léon Gimpel
War trophies displayed along the Champs-Elysées,
1919
print from autochrome
Société Française de Photographie
SFP 806/264-A
German war matériel stacked high along the Champs-Elysées in Paris in July 1919, the month in which soldiers from the allied nations, led by wounded Frenchmen, marched along this route in a victory parade.
Léon Gimpel
The Arc de Triomphe at twilight on the day of the wake for the dead, 1919
print from autochrome
Société Française de Photographie
SFP 806/340-A
Léon Gimpel
The celebration of victory at the Louvre
print from autochrome
Société Française de Photographie
SFP 806/380-A
As part of the victory celebrations, the exterior of the Louvre was illuminated with electric lights.
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