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On the train, from 'The difficult moments of life,' published in Le Charivari, March 12, 1864
Honoré Daumier French
Printer Destouches French
Publisher Aaron Martinet French
March 12, 1864
"We are approaching this great tunnel, where since the beginning of the month there have been already three accidents."
Paris Fire Brigade — The fire department of the city of Paris
The Paris Fire Brigade was created by Napoleon on 18 September 1811 after a devastating fire in Paris in 1810. The brigade remains the same firefighting service of Paris to this day.
Illustrations created by Aaron Martinet between 1807 and 1814. Top: Imperial Guard, Engineer Sapper. Bottom: Imperial Guard, Officer of Engineer Sappers. These were the military positions which were transitioned into the fire department.
The deadly fire at the Austrian embassy ball in July 1810, during the festivities for his marriage to Marie Louise, reminded the Emperor of the importance of a well-functioning fire service in the capital.
Despite the courage and dedication of the gardes pompes [firefighters of the old organization], who are sometimes falsely accused of numerous shortcomings, the firefighting service revealed its weaknesses: delays, insufficient and unreliable equipment, poorly trained personnel and incompetent managers. The staff present at the embassy on the day of the tragedy were cleared of all suspicion by an investigation led by the Count of Montalivet. On the other hand, the leaders of the old organization were dismissed, and the corps des gardes pompes was abolished.
After this catastrophe, the Emperor reorganized this public service by creating the first military corps of firefighters, made up of the engineers from the Imperial Guard who were dedicated to defending the imperial chateaux against fire.
At the behest of Emperor Napoleon I, the creation of the Paris fire department [bataillon de sapeurs pompiers de Paris] by imperial decree on 18 September 1811 was an original and innovative step, marking the transition from a civil and municipal organization to a military body. The choice of such an atypical status for a public service echoes the creation, eleven years earlier, of the Paris Police Prefecture, an equally singular legal administrative body.
From its creation, this military corps was placed under the authority of the Paris Police Prefecture, who was responsible for the security of the capital. After a long process, this military status and subordination to a prefect became the logical consequence of the spirit of the decree of 12 messidor year 8.
When the battalion was formed in 1811, the Paris fire department took on a new mission: fighting fires, the importance and development of which they were still unaware of.
Four companies were then created to respond to fires. Relying on a typically military functional triptych (extensive training of men, systematic technological research and implementation of efficient operational procedures), the battalion quickly made its new environment its own, and by the end of the second half of the 19th century, had become a model for the organization of public fire-fighting services and a national, even international reference.
Several fire chiefs succeeded one another until 1814. At that date, command was entrusted to battalion commander Plazanet. He provided the battalion with an instruction manual, made it compulsory for sappers to be stationed in barracks, and introduced gymnastics to train efficient and daring rescuers.
Source: Brigade de sapeurs-pompiers de Paris — Le Bataillon
Picture source: Napoleon's Army: 1807-1814 as Depicted in the Prints of Aaron Martinet, By Guy C. Dempsey, Jr., (Section: Support Troops)
145/126 Line Infantry, 1st Regiment, Departmental Guard, 1st Company
Troupes Françaises series
Source: Napoleon's Army: 1807-1814 as Depicted in the Prints of Aaron Martinet, By Guy C. Dempsey, Jr.
Quinze centimes un bain complet..., from Croquis Parisiens, published in Le Charivari, August 30, 1856
Honoré Daumier French Printer Destouches French Publisher Aaron Martinet French August 30, 1856
The mother of the actress, from 'Dramatic sketches,' published in Le Charivari, July 2, 1864
Honoré Daumier French Printer Destouches French Publisher Aaron Martinet French July 2, 1864
"What good fortune, they recognize the talent of my daughter... they are throwing flowers. Thank God (In her joy she forgets that it was her who had bought them)."
Unique print showing one of the female followers of Napoleon’s army, c. 1807-1814, Aaron Martinet
The women is a Cantinière, which is a seller of brandy which accompanies the army. The title of the print calls her Mme. d'Eau-de-vie suivant l’Armée, which translates to Madame Brandy following the army.
According to Guy C. Dempsey (from Napoleon’s Army):
“The woman’s dress is exceedingly sensible and modest, with a hint of colour suggesting both a scarf at her throat and a kerchief around her head. The dog presumably belongs to her.”
This print is also unique as it shows the back of a Guard Grenadier’s uniform.
Les bains à quatre sous, from Croquis d'Été, published in Le Charivari, June 29, 1858
Honoré Daumier French Printer Destouches French Publisher Aaron Martinet French June 29, 1858
Triste contenance de la Sculpture placée au milieu de la Peinture, from Le Salon de 1857, published in "Le Charivari"
Honoré Daumier French Printer Destouches French Publisher Aaron Martinet French July 22, 1857
