The Liberation of Paris by René Zuber
An exclusive and largely unpublished historical photographic record
19 April 2024
August 2024 will mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Paris. To mark this occasion, we offer an exclusive selection of 160 photographs, almost all previously unpublished, for regional exclusive licensing on a first come, first served basis.
After more than four years of Nazi occupation, Paris was liberated by the French 2nd Armored Division and the US 4th Infantry Division in a battle that ran from 19 - 25 August 1944. By August 18, Allied forces were closing in on Paris as Resistance fighters emerged from hiding and began attacking German forces. In the following days, some 20,000 German troops surrendered, fled, or were overcome. On the morning of August 25, the 2nd Armored Division cleared the west of the city while the 4th Infantry Division cleared the east, and Paris was liberated.
René Zuber witnessed the Liberation of Paris from many angles. His images are from different parts of Paris - notably in and around Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Hôtel de Ville and the Place de la Concorde - but also in the 15th and 17th arrondissements. Zuber's proximity to the unfolding events offers us the reality of the final battles, glimpses of curious and hopeful civilians, and the jubilant crowd as they celebrate the victory of the Allied troops and their own freedom.
You can view the series here.
About the photographer:
René Zuber, photographer and filmmaker, was born in the Doubs region of France in 1902. He discovered New Objectivity photography whilst studying at the Academy of Graphic Arts and Book Trade in Leipzig, Germany. On his return to Paris in 1929, Zuber started an advertising photography agency.
After founding the Studio Zuber in 1932, with Pierre Boucher and Denise Bellon among others, he co-founded the Alliance Photo agency with Maria Eisner and Pierre Boucher in 1934. His reports were widely published in the French and international press, notably Vu, Regards and Match. At the same time, Zuber developed a career as a documentary filmmaker and founded Les Films du Compas with Roger Leenhardt.
Anne Marie Dalmaso, known as Anita, was born in Rovereto, Italy, in December 1922. She arrived in Paris in 1939 and was a member of the National Teams of Young Rescuers. Arrested for acts of resistance, Anita was imprisoned for sixteen months before being released. She was one of the soldiers who defended the Hôtel de Ville in August 1944. In these images, she is seen aiding a German soldier shot dead by the FFI.
You can view more of René Zuber's photography here.