Item #19177 "Hybridisation". Signed Pen and Ink Cartoon. Caran D'Ache.

"Hybridisation". Signed Pen and Ink Cartoon.

1905. Original pen and ink signed cartoon on tissue laid on artist board, by the French political cartoonist "Caran D'Ache", whose real name was Emmanuel Poire (1858 - 1909). Poire was a satirist who developed "stories without words", considered a precursor to comic strips. Caran D'Ache spoofs appear to be of French Colonial Empire building during the later part of the 19th century, a time when France cloaked its acquisitions in Africa as a moral mission to lift the world up "to French standards by bringing Christianity and French culture". In 1884 the leading exponent of colonialism, Jules Ferry declared; "The higher races have a right over the lower races, they have a duty to civilize the inferior races." Full citizenship rights - assimilation - were offered, although in reality "assimilation was always receding [and] the colonial populations treated like subjects not citizens."[Wikipedia]. In this cartoon we see the results of mixing or hybridizing people of different social status and race, and of attempting to modify human and animal traits.

The cartoon has four illustrations in two rows, starting at the upper left. The top row depicts three pairs of mismatched people: a young woman is fondled by an older man as she reads; a scruffy poor man drapes his arm around a man in suit and tie; and a prosperous black man drawn in racist manner is depicted smoking a cigar wraps his arm around a startled looking white man. In the bottom row is a single image in which an old nag with disheveled Pegasus-like wings runs behind the rider who runs with her on a tether, as a muscular man runs by with an angry eagle strapped to his back. 22 x 15 1/2". Drawn on tissue laid down on heavier stock, with small crescent missing at bottom edge and upper right corner, not affecting the illustration.

Caran D'Ache's work appeared in Le Chronique Parisienne, Le Figaro, and Le Rire. In his later years he began a series of "Albums", booklets of cartoons devoted to current fads and social & political issues. Very good condition. Item #19177

Price: $750.00

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