This 1915 La Baïonnette cartoon skewers the militarized paranoia that swept France during World War I. Two refined men peer over a ruined hillside and whisper about how “perfect” it once was for a 420-mm gun — the kind of fear-logic that turns ordinary places into imagined battlegrounds. The joke isn’t the woman; it’s how war rewires civilians to see threats everywhere.
A century later, the warning remains the same: fear is a powerful storyteller, and it can redraw a whole landscape long before the fighting begins.
This 1916 French political cartoon from La Baïonnette skewers the logic of authoritarian bureaucracy: “Sort every document… then destroy them.” Power demands obedience—even when the orders make no sense. The minister gets to declare “no more paperwork,” but only after generating mountains of it and commanding a pointless ritual of order followed by erasure.
A century later, the absurdity feels familiar. When systems protect themselves instead of the public, nonsense becomes policy.
A 1916 political cartoon from La Baïonnette, restored from an original print. Charles Léandre skewers the ruling class with a scene that hasn’t aged a day: politicians shuffling papers, prolonging “sessions,” and calling it governance while the public bears the cost. The caption—La séance continue—lands like a warning: the circus doesn’t stop just because it’s failing.
"À LA PORTE LES TYRANS" : A century-old French WWI illustration from La Baïonnette, restored and given new life for the present. In 1916 it mocked the strongmen of its day; today it reads like a reminder we still need: tyrants don’t step aside on their own — people have to shove.
Original resistance art from the era of collapsing empires, brought forward without AI or fabrication. Perfect for anyone done with authoritarian bravado and ready to defend democracy.
This 1916 La Baïonnette cartoon captures a pattern we still know too well: the comfortable lecturing the wounded about “sacrifice.” A plump rear-guard bourgeois complains about rising prices while a frontline soldier sits bandaged beside him—an early reminder that privilege has always tried to borrow the language of suffering.
In Gilded Age 2.0, the script hasn’t changed much. Those insulated from the consequences keep insisting they’re the ones who feel them most. Satire like this makes the gap impossible to ignore.
This is resistance art — not nostalgia. In 1916, the French satirical magazine La Baïonnette used cartoons to challenge authoritarian government culture. They couldn’t openly say “the system is failing,” so they drew the failure instead. A century later, the message still hits: power protecting paperwork instead of people.
Monsieur Lebureau, buried in documents, insists: “I swear the bureaucracy will hold!”
Originally printed in the French political magazine La Baïonnette, this restored cartoon exposes a truth that hasn’t aged a day: authoritarian systems don’t need results — they just need paperwork. The bureaucrat isn’t solving problems. He’s producing documents, defending process, and calling it power.
Because when power protects itself, paperwork becomes the weapon.
A century-old French satire, now on a mug.
From the WWI magazine La Baïonnette, this caricature page mocked the “undesirables” of its day — politicians, profiteers, and blowhards who thought they were untouchable.
The caption reads:
“Quelques têtes d’indésirables — History will take out the trash.”
Perfect for desks, offices, and anyone who appreciates anti-authoritarian humor.
A striking WWI illustration from La Baïonnette, restored from the original print. The imperial German eagle—long a symbol of militarism and authoritarian power—limps home torn open and bleeding, its myth of invincibility shattered. French satirists of the period used images like this to expose the brutality and collapse built into every strongman empire.
More than a century later, the message still lands: authoritarian ambition always drags itself back to the ground.
Authentic vintage art from my collection. No AI, no fabrication—just real history carried forward.
A century before memes, there was La Baïonnette — a French satirical magazine that used illustration as resistance. This piece, “L’Aigle Impérial” (The Imperial Eagle), was published during World War I. In the cartoon, the eagle represents German imperial power under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Its wings are tattered, its body is wounded, and the caption beneath the image reads: “He will return to his nest, stripped and wounded — and never come out again.” It wasn’t just art — it was prophecy, mocking the collapse of a regime that believed itself unstoppable. Perfect for: anti-authoritarian energy lovers of vintage illustration anyone who enjoys their coffee with a side of political catharsis Public domain artwork, restored from an original 1916 print. Because resistance art never goes out of style.
Product features - Crew length that works with casual, dress, or active looks - All-over print with solid black toe and heel accents - Stretchy, smooth fabric blend (73% polyester, 18% nylon, 3% cotton, 6% spandex) - Vibrant, crisp colors from advanced printing on 200-needle knit - Cushioned bottoms for comfort and one-size fit (women’s 5 to men’s 12) Care instructions - Do not dryclean - Do not iron - Do not tumble dry - Do not bleach - Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F)
Finally — a tote that tells fascists where to go. Taken from a 1916 French magazine cover and paired with the slogan “À LA PORTE LES TYRANS” (“Out the door, tyrants”), this bag blends vintage art with modern defiance.
Art. History. Resistance. And room for snacks.
Product features - 100% heavy cotton canvas (12 oz/yd²) for durability - Flat corners and sewn construction for a structured silhouette - Self-fabric carrying handles with reinforced stitching - Available in natural and black colorways; sewn-in label - Blank product sourced from India; adult-sized accessory Care instructions - Do not iron directly over the printed area - print may stick to the iron. - Spot clean - Do not bleach - Line dry
"À LA PORTE LES TYRANS" : A century-old French WWI illustration from La Baïonnette, restored and given new life for the present. In 1916 it mocked the strongmen of its day; today it reads like a reminder we still need: tyrants don’t step aside on their own — people have to shove.
Original resistance art from the era of collapsing empires, brought forward without AI or fabrication. Perfect for anyone done with authoritarian bravado and ready to defend democracy.
Product features - 100% ring-spun cotton (lightweight 153 g/m²) for a soft, smooth hand - Tubular knit without side seams for a cleaner drape and reduced fabric waste - Ribbed collar and shoulder tape for shape retention and stabilized fit - Pearlized tear-away label for itch-free comfort; EU 2-year warranty and safety certifications - Print methods: DTG for main art, DTF available for sleeve and inner neck prints Care instructions - Do not dryclean - Do not bleach - Tumble dry: low heat - Iron, steam or dry: low heat - Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors
EU representative: HONSON VENTURES LIMITED, gpsr@honsonventures.com, 3, Gnaftis House flat 102, Limassol, Mesa Geitonia, 4003, CY
Product information: Gildan 64000, 2 year warranty in EU and Northern Ireland as per Directive 1999/44/EC
Warnings, Hazard: For adults, Made in Bangladesh
Care instructions: Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F), with similar colors , Do not bleach, Tumble dry: low heat, Iron, steam or dry: low heat, Do not dryclean
A century before memes, there was La Baïonnette — a French satirical magazine that used illustration as resistance. This piece, “L’Aigle Impérial” (The Imperial Eagle), was published during World War I. In the cartoon, the eagle represents German imperial power under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Its wings are tattered, its body is wounded, and the caption beneath the image reads: “He will return to his nest, stripped and wounded — and never come out again.” It wasn’t just art — it was prophecy, mocking the collapse of a regime that believed itself unstoppable. Perfect for: anti-authoritarian energy lovers of vintage illustration anyone who enjoys their coffee with a side of political catharsis Public domain artwork, restored from an original 1916 print. Because resistance art never goes out of style.
Product features - Medium-heavy 8.3 oz fabric with cotton/polyester blends for durability and softness - Side seams for improved structure and longer-lasting shape - Adjustable hood with self-colored drawstring and metal grommets - Large kangaroo pouch pocket to warm hands or hold small items - Tear-away label, runs true to size, WRAP/Sedex/PETA certified Care instructions - Machine wash: cold (max 30C or 90F) - Do not bleach - Tumble dry: low heat - Iron, steam or dry: low heat - Do not dryclean
