50 Posters from the series "Musée des Horreurs" [Museum of Horrors] - Political posters against politicians, journalists, pro-Dreyfusars and prominent Jews, illustrated by an artist who signed his work with the pseudonym V. Lenepveu, referred to occasionally as Victor Lenepveu. Hand-Colored Lithographs. Paris, [1899-1900]. Posters no. 1-50 (no. 51 is missing).
The posters appeared for the first time when the International Exhibition opened in Paris, right during the Dreyfus affair, several months after the second conviction of Dreyfus in court. The posters were printed once a week before their publication was halted by the French Ministry of Interior.
The original series consisted of 51 posters depicting pro-Dreyfus personalities in a grotesque, monstrous manner.
Each poster depicted a different person illustrated with organs of a beast or a monstrous body. Among the subjects of the posters: Emil Zola, George Piccard, Zadok Cohen, the Rothschilds, Alfred Dreyfus (several posters), and others.
Average size 65X50 cm. Condition varies. Good-fair overall condition. Stains, creases, some tears, or open tears, mainly at margins of numerous posters. Rough tears at margins of poster no. 1. Considering the quality of paper used for printing the posters they were preserved in good condition.
Literature: The Dreyfus Affair, Art, Truth and Justice, edited by Norman L. Kleeblatt, Tel-Aviv: Ministry of Defence, 1991. Pp. 234-242.