Simplicissimus magazine 1896

This lithograph by Thomas Theodor Heine appeared in the German satirical magazine Simplicissimus, sometime in the early 20th century. It’s a relatively straightforward print, likely made by drawing on a prepared stone with a greasy crayon – a technique that would have allowed Heine to quickly develop his ideas and get them into circulation. The lithographic process also perfectly suits the graphic punch of his composition. The drawing depicts two scenes, one above the other. In the first, a boy and girl dressed up as royalty sit passively while geese mill around them. The second shows the scene descended into chaos. The children are running for their lives, pursued by the geese and a bulldog. The girl has fallen, and her crown rolls away. Heine's brilliance lies in his ability to reduce the scene to its bare essentials. The rough, irregular lines convey a sense of immediacy and energy. This was, after all, a print meant to be viewed amidst the bustle of everyday life, not revered in a hushed gallery. It uses the accessibility of print to deliver its satirical jab at the pretensions of the ruling class.