npr.org
Secret Photos of Occupied Paris
A journalist's investigation uncovers the story of Raoul Minot, a Parisian who risked his life to photograph Nazi-occupied Paris, his work only recently receiving recognition.
English
United States
Human Rights ViolationsGermany FranceHistoryWorld War IiPhotographyResistanceNazi Occupation
Le MondeMuseum Of National ResistanceLe PrintempsGestapo
Raoul MinotMarthe MinotPhilippe BroussardStephanie ColauxJulien Blanc
- What was the outcome of Minot and his wife's actions?
- Minot and his wife, Marthe, were eventually denounced and arrested for their photography. Raoul was deported to a concentration camp and never returned. Marthe searched for him after the war but he was lost to history until Broussard's investigation.
- How did Minot's photos represent an act of resistance?
- Minot's photographs were an act of resistance, defying the Nazi prohibition on photography and providing a realistic, unglamorized depiction of life in occupied Paris. The sarcastic captions on the photos further highlight his defiance.
- What was the significance of Broussard's investigation?
- Broussard's investigation, published in Le Monde, led to Minot being officially recognized by the French government as a resistance fighter. The story highlights not only the act of resistance through photography, but also the enduring power of historical investigation and the importance of remembering unsung heroes.
- Describe the process of uncovering the photographer's identity.
- The discovery of Minot's photos began with a scrapbook found at a flea market. Journalist Philippe Broussard, through extensive archival research and interviews, identified Minot as the photographer, revealing his story and posthumously recognizing his resistance.
- Who was Raoul Minot, and what is significant about his photography?
- Raoul Minot, an employee of Le Printemps department store in Paris, secretly photographed daily life under Nazi occupation between 1940 and 1942. His photos, discovered decades later, offered a poignant and clandestine view of occupied Paris.