Created circa 1900 as number 12 in Le Musée de Sires, this original poster printed in color lithography portrays Oscar II, who was then King of both Sweden and Norway. The sheet belongs to Auguste Roubille’s satirical gallery of contemporary rulers.
The king is dressed almost entirely in black, his white beard and solemn face sharply isolated against areas of pale yellow and lavender. A dramatically enlarged gloved hand occupies the foreground, while architectural silhouettes suggest a formal public occasion.
Roubille transforms official ceremony into visual theatre. The king’s dignified appearance is retained, but changes of proportion and the prominent foreground gesture introduce the humorous instability characteristic of the series.
Auguste Roubille worked across painting, poster design, book illustration and decorative art. From the late 1890s onward, he contributed to many prominent Parisian satirical magazines and became known for his concise silhouettes and limited yet expressive palettes.
Rarely encountered outside a complete set, this individual sheet combines Scandinavian royal history with the inventive character of French turn-of-the-century caricature.
Original Poster
Caricature - Press - Sweden
The museum of Sires - Guelerie Contemporaine Number 12
A. Malverge Paris
Good condition, small tears
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