Georges Picquart en de draak 1899

Louis Anquetin created this print titled, *Georges Picquart en de draak* in 1899. It offers us a glimpse into the tumultuous Dreyfus Affair which divided France at the end of the 19th century. Here, Anquetin depicts Colonel Georges Picquart as a classical hero, nude and garlanded with a wreath, standing triumphantly over a defeated dragon. Picquart, head of French military intelligence, exposed the antisemitic conspiracy that wrongly convicted Alfred Dreyfus of treason. In doing so, Picquart risked his career and faced imprisonment, yet he courageously pursued justice. The image resonates with themes of truth and power, illustrating Picquart's personal and professional struggle against the venomous antisemitism represented by the dragon. Anquetin, like many artists and intellectuals of his time, was deeply affected by the Dreyfus Affair. The print serves as a powerful statement, immortalizing Picquart's bravery and underscoring the importance of standing against injustice.