These photographs were taken in Paris in the late 1800s, and they tell a story we all know: the story of bouncing back when life knocks you down. In 1870, France started the Franco-Prussian War and suffered a crushing defeat. It was a national disaster, leaving the country devastated, both economically and emotionally. But here’s where it gets interesting. Only four years later, Paris was alive again—brimming with energy and full of new life. But how? What sparked this transformation? Art. In the aftermath of war, Paris turned to its creative core. The arts became the lifeblood of the city’s cultural recovery. Artists like Édouard Manet, Camille Pissarro, and Gustave Caillebotte began channeling the chaos and heartache of their time into their work. They captured the struggles of life, yes—but they also captured the enduring spirit of the human soul. Paris became a destination for people from all over the world, eager to witness this artistic outpouring. Out of the ruins of defea...