The King of the Auxcriniers 1864

Victor Hugo, the celebrated 19th-century French novelist, also created this stark ink drawing titled, “The King of the Auxcriniers." It shows a grotesque, toad-like figure towering over a stormy sea and a distant shipwreck. Hugo was deeply concerned with social justice and often depicted the plight of the marginalized. The monstrous king could be a representation of oppressive authority, indifferent to human suffering. The turbulent sea might symbolize the chaos and instability of life, especially for those without power. Hugo himself lived through periods of political upheaval and exile, so this image might also reflect his personal struggles and sense of alienation. There's a raw, emotional intensity in the drawing that speaks to the vulnerability and resilience of the human spirit in the face of overwhelming forces. The King of the Auxcriniers invites us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, injustice, and our own capacity for empathy.