To the Electors 1898

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen created this lithograph, To the Electors, in France at the turn of the 20th century. It presents a donkey being endorsed by two men in formal attire, one with his arm around the animal and the other playing the violin. This image satirizes the political landscape of the time. It suggests that political candidates are no more than performing animals, propped up by those seeking to exploit them. The setting evokes a cheap tavern, highlighting the perceived corruption and lack of substance in electoral processes. Steinlen's work often appeared in journals associated with the Parisian avant-garde, reflecting the radical politics of the era. To fully understand this piece, we might consult publications from the time, such as "Le Rire" or "Gil Blas," where Steinlen regularly contributed. We might research the French electoral system. Art is always shaped by its historical context and institutions, and the historian's role is to reveal these connections.