Birds · 19th century
€ 140
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
The print titled "La Ménagerie Impériale" is a satirical caricature featuring the imperial heir, Napoléon Eugène, the Prince Imperial. It is part of a series composed of 31 hand-colored lithograph plates by the artist Hadol, published in Paris by Au Bureau des Annonces around 1870. The album, "LA MENAGERIE IMPÉRIALE," depicts various figures as animals, metaphorically representing those who have "devoured" France over the past 20 years, including during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).
In this specific print, the Prince Imperial's head is humorously exaggerated and attached to the body of a canary (a small songbird). The canary is perched on a toy tricycle, symbolizing uselessness and frivolity. The text at the top reads "LE REJETON IMPÉRIAL" (The Imperial Offspring) and "N° 3," indicating this is the third in the series. Below the image, the caption "LE SERIN" (The Canary) is followed by "Parade - Inutilité" (Parade - Uselessness), emphasizing the Prince Imperial's perceived lack of purpose and superficiality.
The album as a whole, titled "LA MENAGERIE IMPÉRIALE," is a caricatural representation of the royal family and significant politicians of the time, using animal imagery to critique their roles and actions. The plates were originally issued loose in contemporary boards with a mounted hand-colored lithographed title. The format is small quarto (Sm. 4to), and the edges are slightly worn and browned, typical for works of this age.
This print, along with the rest of the album, serves as a historical and political commentary, utilizing humor and satire to criticize the leadership during a turbulent period in France’s history.
