Illustrated Periodicals Part 2: French, German, and American Publications

Many publications were established in France during the time of Louis Philippe, when the country was experiencing a period of relatively light censorship. Charles Philipon is credited with creating a few papers, published in 1830, La Caricature the most prominent of them. La Caricature printed such artists as Daumer and Grandville, and would often attack the Louis Philippe through caricature.

This piece above is by Joseph Traveis. Artists in La Caricature often morphed Louis Philippe's head into a pear, it became the symbol for an overindulgent king. The above image actually got La Caricature into some legal trouble. While defending himself in court, Charles Philipon drew the below image, morphing Louis Philippe's head into a pear.

 

Another note worthy European publication is Simplicissimus, a German publication with Art Nouveau influences. 

 

First published in Munich in 1896, the periodical commented on aspects of German society and government that were disliked. Especially "boorish," upper-class military officers in the beginning.

In America, Harper's Weekly was the first illustrated periodical to really establish itself in the satirical realm. Established in 1857, the magazine would feature the cartoons of the previously mentioned Thomas Nast, including the ones that attacked Boss Tweed.

 

Similar to Harper's Weekly was Puck magazine. Like Harper's Weekly, Puck contained political satire, often involving Tammany Hall. Created in Germany years earlier and then brought into America by Joseph Keppler in 1876, Puck used lithographic printing, allowing for some of the images to be in color. Leading to the publication's success.

Image 1: La Caricature cover,19 June, 1886
Image 2: Cartoon by Joseph Traveis
Image 3: Cartoon by Charles Philipon
Image 4: Simlicissimus cover
Image 5: Cartoon from Simplicissimus
Image 6: Harper's Weekly cover
Image 7: Harper's Weekly cover
Image 8: Puck cover

Honore Daumier

During France's dominance in caricature, Daumier was most likely the top artist. He was incredibly successful, producing more then 4000 prints. Often Daumier would attack Louis Philippe in his drawings. Below is the Gargantua, one of two prints that caused Daumier to be imprisoned for six months. This only caused his caricatures to only become more popular.

Introduction to French Caricature

In the beginning the the 19th Century English satire began to wane, making way for French caricature to begin to dominate. This coincides with the invention of lithographic printing, invented in 1798 by Alois Senefelder, the favored medium of French illustrators. During this period, France experienced varying levels of censorship from whatever regime was in charge, dictating shifts in subject matter. Under the "Acien Regime" caricature was purely social, while Napoleon wanted artists to create works that supported his policies. In 1830, France experienced a relative freedom of speech under the rule of Louis Philippe. This is the time that famous French caricaturists such as Honore Daumier flourished. Above is a print from another artist to become successful at this time, J.J. Grandville, noted for his zoomorphism.