Karikatuur van een intellectueel met zijn zoon en een militair 1898

This is a caricature by Jean-Louis Forain depicting an intellectual, his son, and a military man. It was made in France during a period when tensions between different social groups were on the rise. The image creates meaning through visual codes. The intellectual, with his oversized head and spectacles, is portrayed as out of touch with the real world. His son, carrying a book titled "Jeu Intellectuel", appears equally detached. In contrast, the military man stands tall and confident, representing order and authority. This artwork comments on the social structures of its time. Forain critiques the perceived elitism and impracticality of intellectuals, while simultaneously glorifying the military. Such sentiments became increasingly common in the decades before the First World War. Understanding this artwork requires delving into the social and political history of France in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Scholarly articles, books, and archival materials can provide valuable insights into the cultural context in which it was created and displayed.