Karikatuur van Joseph Reinach als Joodse schooier 1898

Jean-Louis Forain created this lithograph, "Karikatuur van Joseph Reinach als Joodse schooier", as part of the "Psst...!" series. It's a stark image of Reinach, a prominent Jewish politician in France, depicted as a stereotypical Jewish beggar. This image is deeply embedded in the social and political turmoil of late 19th-century France, specifically the Dreyfus Affair. The Affair, a highly publicized case of a Jewish officer wrongly accused of treason, exposed deep-seated antisemitism within French society and institutions, including the military and the press. Forain’s caricature draws on antisemitic tropes, portraying Reinach in a demeaning and dehumanizing manner. This was published in a satirical magazine that fueled anti-Dreyfus sentiment. It reflects a broader cultural climate where antisemitism was not only tolerated but actively promoted, influencing public opinion and exacerbating social divisions. To fully grasp the impact of this image, historians delve into newspaper archives, political pamphlets, and personal letters, to reveal the complex interplay between art, politics, and social identity.