3-089-484 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Illumination of the Hôtel de Ville for King's Day, May 1, 1847 , (1847). Illumination de l'Hôtel de Ville pour la fête du roi, le 1er mai 1847, Paris, Detail showing mounted soldiers. The Fête du Roi (King's Feast) was held for King Louis Philippe I. While traditional candles and oil lamps were still used in many illuminations, by 1847, gas lighting was becoming increasingly popular for large public displays in Paris. Paris had adopted gas street lighting in 1820, and this scene reflects the "city of lights" reputation growing during the 19th century.