Today’s photo is a powerful piece by Robert Doisneau, one of France’s most iconic photographers. Doisneau’s career spanned over five decades, capturing the essence of Parisian life with a tender, humanistic eye.

Born in 1912 in Gentilly, he began photographing in the 1930s, eventually becoming a master of street photography. His work often highlights the beauty in everyday moments—children playing, lovers kissing, workers on the job—earning him international fame, especially for his 1950 photo Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville.

During World War II, Paris was a city under siege, gripped by Nazi occupation from 1940 to 1944. Fear permeated daily life as curfews, rationing, and surveillance became the norm. Resistance fighters operated in secret, risking their lives to defy the occupiers. Doisneau, living in Paris at the time, faced the same dangers as any citizen, but his camera became a tool of quiet rebellion.

While photographing resistance activities like clandestine printing or distributing tracts in real-time was nearly impossible due to the risks, Doisneau later recreated these scenes in reconstructed series, working with former resistance members to honor their courage. His ability to capture the spirit of wartime Paris—its tension, resilience, and hidden defiance—remains unparalleled.

Right now, you can see Doisneau’s work on display at the Maillol Museum near the Eiffel Tower here in Paris. The exhibition is a must-visit, offering a deep dive into the Paris he loved and documented so beautifully.

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