This lithograph, part of a series, was not specifically commissioned by Philipon for La Caricature. As a result, the artist was free to design his illustrations independently. Philipon purposely gave artists creative independence, in order to attract the most talented artists of time to his journal. The lithographs were inserted and not bound in the issues, which allowed subscribers to display or exhibit the artwork should they choose to do so. Many of the lithographs, similar to the one shown here, were in color and could only be obtained by subscribing to the journal. This clever technique employed by Philipon encouraged readers to subscribe, since lithographs in La Caricature could not be purchased independently from print shops.
Note the shadows of the figures which cleverly suggest the true nature of the figures portrayed. The man holding the scissors represents Louis-Philippe and his unjust censorship laws. The man’s shadow is the devil.
Gift of Lessing J. Rosenwald 58-873
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