Issued circa 1900 as number 3 in Le Musée de Sires, this original poster printed in color lithography represents Kaiser Wilhelm II, German Emperor and King of Prussia from 1888 to 1918.
Roubille depicts the Kaiser as an immaculate theatrical figure in high boots, decorated uniform and ceremonial sash. Military accessories are displayed almost like stage properties, while the ruler’s carefully posed body and famous upturned moustache reinforce the sense of performance.
The caricature reflects the strong association between Wilhelm II’s public identity and military spectacle. Rather than illustrating a particular event, Roubille condenses the Kaiser’s cultivated image of discipline, authority and imperial confidence into a single exaggerated pose.
Auguste Roubille was one of the accomplished graphic satirists working in Paris at the beginning of the twentieth century. His designs appeared in leading humorous journals and combined flat color, economical drawing and the visual immediacy of modern poster art.
This sheet is a compelling acquisition for collectors of German imperial history, European political caricature and early twentieth-century graphic design.
Original Poster
Caricature - Press - Germany
The museum of Sires - Guelerie Contemporaine number 3
A. Malverge Paris
Good condition, small tears
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