The Stryge, ca. 1930

About the Work

From up high, the demon gazes patiently across Paris at night. Far below, the fog – lit by gas lanterns – rises from the streets like an infernal blaze. Despite the poor lighting conditions, Brassaï was able to capture this impression by making a time exposure. As the opening image to his book ‘Paris de Nuit’, the picture sets the tone for a night of debauchery, in which transvestites, prostitutes and bohemian circles recall Sodom and Gomorrah.