Man met lange baard omringd door mensen en ganzen before 1885

Jean Gauchard created this print, "Man with Long Beard Surrounded by People and Geese," in 19th-century France. It illustrates the legend of the Wandering Jew, condemned to roam the earth for taunting Jesus on his way to the crucifixion. This image uses its setting and characters to explore cultural anxieties around outsiders. The crowded, almost claustrophobic architecture suggests a medieval city, while the figure of the Wandering Jew, with his long beard and staff, is an instantly recognizable stereotype of the rootless traveler. The geese add a touch of the absurd, hinting at the folklore tradition that produced this legend. To fully understand this print, it helps to research the history of anti-Semitism in 19th-century Europe, looking at popular literature, political cartoons, and other visual representations. In doing so, we can start to unpack the complex social forces that shaped Gauchard's image and the cultural meanings it carries.