V. Lenepveu
A cartoon by Alfred Dreyfus (1859–1935) in the form of a six-headed snake, decorated with a dagger with the caption “The Traitor”.
Paris, France, 1899
Original in the Lauren Beitler Collection of the Dreyfus Affair, University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Philadelphia, USA
Must Know
Musée des horreurs (Museum of Horrors) are a series of anti-semitic, nationalist and anti-masonic caricatures drawn and published by journalist and artist Victor Lenepveu between 1899 and 1900. The caricature is anti-Dreyfusard and against the appeal to exonerate Dreyfus and challenge the liability of the French army.
More Info
Dreyfus’ face is drawn on the body of Greek legend hydra, a serpent-like monster with multiple heads. The story goes that anytime someone tries to behead one of the heads of the Hydra, two new heads emerge. Additionally, out of the multiple and varying number of heads of the Hydra, one is always immoral and evil. The use of the Hydra can symbolising a situation that is difficult and multifarious.
The Dreyfus case made journalistic headlines as it symbolises the beginning the questioning of reason of state and the involvement of the Catholic Church in state affairs.
