1916 La Baïonnette | Mocking the collapse of an empire | The Imperial Eagle falls

$42.00

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 artwork from 1916. Because resistance art never goes out of style.

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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 artwork from 1916. Because resistance art never goes out of style.