In the aftermath of World War II, Paris was not the city of lights and romance it once was. It was a city scarred by war, its buildings bearing the wounds of bombs and its people struggling to rebuild their lives. Yet, amidst the rubble and despair, life went on, and a young Lithuanian photographer named Izis was there to capture it all.
Izis, a Jewish refugee from Lithuania, had experienced his own share of loss and trauma. He fled to Paris with a camera. He roamed the streets, capturing the essence of a city rebuilding itself.
He focused his lens on the ordinary people of Paris, the ones who were often overlooked in favor of the city’s glamorous landmarks and famous figures. He captured their quiet moments of joy and sorrow, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their enduring hope for a better future.
In one of his most iconic photographs, Izis captured a couple embracing in the shadow of a bombed-out building. Their kiss was a testament to the enduring power of love, a small but defiant act of hope in a world that had been torn apart by war.
Izis also documented the children of Paris, who played amidst the ruins as if oblivious to the destruction around them. Their laughter was a reminder of the innocence that had been lost, but also a symbol of hope for the future.
