4 Antique Le Rire French Belle Epoque Satirical Comic Journal Framed Art 20"

Description

Four antique framed Le Rire (The Laughter) newspaper comic journal cover lithographs, produced circa 1895-1905. Founded in Paris during the Belle Époque era by Felix Juvent. Le Rire was the most successful comic journal of its time. The publication featured social commentaries, political caricatures and oversvations on upper class Parisian life.

Cover 1 - Issue 111, Illustration by Albert Guillaume -"A QUOI RÊVENT LES MÈRES" - "What Mothers Dream Of". The cartoon mocks the transactional nature of high-society marriages during the Belle Époque. It depicts an older, wealthy couple looking over a young, attractive woman. The phrase "garder une poire pour la soif" is a French idiom that means saving or securing resources for the future. The humorous angle highlights a mother's pragmatic, cynical desire to marry her daughter off to a wealthy suitor strictly to secure financial comfort and social stability.

Cover 2 - Issue 62, Illustration by Theophile Alexandre Steinlen. Title: Au Moulin de la Galette (At the Moulin de la Galette) The drawing depicts the bustling, lively atmosphere of the Moulin de la Galette, a famous outdoor dance hall and cabaret in the Montmartre district frequented by working-class Parisians and avant-garde artists.The dialogue at the bottom of the page highlights a brief, satirical exchange typical of the publication's humor:"— Voulez-vous faire la valse avec moi, mademoiselle? " ("Would you like to waltz with me, miss?")"— Non, merci, monsieur. " ("No, thank you, sir.")"— Vous avez tort, mademoiselle. " ("You are mistaken, miss" / "Your loss, miss.").

Cover 3 - Issue 129, Illustrations by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Titled Snobisme (Snobbery). The illustration satirizes the superficial social posturing and vanity of the Parisian upper classes (the "snobs") of the late 19th century. Below the image, the comedic dialogue text translates to:"Jeanne, take my wallet from the left pocket of my overcoat without being seen.""And then what?""You will pass it to me conspicuously when it is time to pay, as if it were your own."

Cover 4 - Issue 20, Illustrations by Adolphe Willette. Titled "A soldier and a prostitute in the gardens". The cartoon depicts a humorous and slightly provocative interaction typical of Belle Époque social satire. An elderly, decorated military veteran (referencing the Crimean War) is speaking with a chic young Parisian woman revealing her legs in a public park backdrop (featuring the statue of a winged figure, likely the Place de la République or a similar landmark). – Pour lors... vous avez eu les jambes gelées ? (So... you had your legs frozen?)– Oui, l'ancien, comme vous en Crimée, j'ai attrapé ça en allant c'hiver au Pôle Nord, et je réchauffe mes pauvres pattes au bon soleil de tout le monde ! (Yes, old man, just like you did in Crimea. I caught that going to the North Pole this winter, and now I'm warming my poor paws in everybody's beautiful sunshine!)

Condition

Some discoloration to paper; gentle wear to frames

Dimensions

16.75" x 1" x 20" / Sans Frame - 8.5" x 11.75" (W x D x H)