The Red Iron (Le Fer Rouge) 1871

"The Red Iron (Le Fer Rouge)" is a satirical print created by Felicien Rops in 1871. This artwork is a complex allegory criticizing the French government's actions during the Franco-Prussian war. The image features a rooster perched atop a signpost inscribed with the names of cities "Sedan" and "Metz", alluding to France's military defeats. The central figure, a man bound to the post, represents France, suffering under the weight of war. Rops utilizes intricate detail and dark humor to portray the devastation and the corruption of the French government during this turbulent period.