Antique Print-GRANDVILLE-LA-FENAISON-POLITICAL-SATIRE-Grandville-Alophe-1832

‘LA FENAISON // (JUILLET) LE SOLEIL ENTRE DANS LE SIGNE DU LION. ? VERS LA FIN DE CE MOIS ON FAUCHE LES PRAIRIES MONARCHIQUES, ON DERACINE SCEPTRES, COURONNES, TIARES, ETC ETC. // ON COUPE LE PLUS BAS QU?ON PEUT LES MONTANS DES TIGES QUI ONT PORT?. ? SEMEZ INSTITUTIONS R?PUBLICAINES, PATRIOTISME ET LIBERT?S. // (MATHIEU LANSBERG)’

– A richly detailed satirical lithograph from 1832 depicting the political landscape of Europe through the metaphor of hay harvesting (fenaison). The composition illustrates the downfall of monarchy and the rise of republican ideals, as various European nations are shown felling symbols of aristocratic and clerical power?crowns, scepters, and government figures?like a field being reaped.

At the center, France aggressively harvests the remnants of the July Monarchy, with Louis-Philippe himself among those being cut down. Other nations?Britain, Poland, Germany, Spain, Russia, and Greece?engage in similar political ‘harvesting,’ each targeting their respective monarchic or oppressive institutions. Grasshoppers represent pensioners escaping the reforms, while spiders symbolize sinecures clinging to power. Overseeing the entire scene is Marianne, the personification of liberty, ensuring that the republican transformation continues. This print is a striking example of political satire during the July Monarchy.