Nos Humoristes - 'Our Comedians' - Antisemitic cartoons. Paris, 1900

Nos Humoristes - 'Our Comedians' - Antisemitic cartoons. Paris, 1900

Nos Humoristes - 'Our Comedians' - a book in an album edition centering the works of the famous antisemitic illustrators in France, by Adolphe Brisson, published by the Societe d'edition artistique, Paris 1900. A rare publication that reveals the world of cartoonists of the first antisemitic cartoons, and their works which became common in all antisemitic literature in the 20th century.

The book includes among other, antisemitic cartoons by Hermann Paul and Adolf Willette who illustrated many antisemitic cartoons during the Dreyfus affair. Some of the cartoons are accompanied by antisemitic captions, such as the famous cartoon in which Rothschild is seen embracing the earth, the author writes that Rothschild has been a favorite of cartoonists for thirty years, and that his character provides them with much material for creation. In some cartoons the author describes, as far as he knows, how the illustrators came to the painting of the character, for example in Emil Zola's cartoon he writes that photographs of Zola were taken by the illustrators who analyzed the wrinkles on his forehead to highlight them, and his eyes were drawn in such a way as to emphasize the feature with which he despised all those around him. The author knew the various illustrators personally, and he describes how he visited their home or the studio where they worked. Some even visited several times to understand the way they work, and their thoughts. In the introduction to the book the author writes that now (1900), it is a time of flourishing that has never been like before for French cartoonists, and that the fear of publishing that was in Napoleon's time has faded. 

Large format: 34 cm. Thick and glossy paper. Good condition.