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

The Rise of Illustrated Periodicals and English Publications

 
Illustrated periodicals began to become more prevalent around the 1830s. A rise in printing technology partially explains this phenomenon, but more important are the improvements in paper making technology. In the previous century, paper had been a somewhat luxury item, but new steam-driven paper making machines were able to produce a cheaper paper, making it more economically feasible to create publications. In England some of earliest successful publications were Charles Knight's The Penny Magazine and Thomas McClean's The Monthly Sheet of Caricatures.

Punch is by far the most successful illustrated publication to come out in this time. Established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew, Punch father the phrase "cartoon" in reference to satirical prints. Punch appealed to middle class humor, often criticizing the royal family. The images were often bold, striking and savagely critical. In the late 1800s, Punch experienced its richest time while featuring the works of John Tenniel and Harry Furniss.

The next periodical to give Punch any competition is Vanity Fair, established in 1868.

The magazine used colored lithography to create "anti-portraits" that people would hang in their homes. Two prominent artists from Vanity Fair were Carlos Pellegrini and Leslie Ward who would sign their work with the psuedonames "Ape" and "Spy."

Image 1: Cover of Thomas McClean's The Monthly Sheet of Caricatures

Image 2: Cover of Henry Mayhew's Punch

Image 3: Cartoon by John Tenniel

Image 4: Cartoon by Harry Furniss

Image 5:  Darwin caricature from Vanity Fair 

Image 6:  Cartoon by "Ape" (Carlos Pellegrini)

Image 7: Cartoon by "Spy" (Leslie Ward)