Cover Osteuropa 1/2013

In Osteuropa 1/2013

The Anti-Napoleon Caricature
Peculiarities of Russian Humour

Elena Višlenkova


Deutsche Fassung

Abstract

The caricatures of Napoleon that emerged in 1812 are a prototype of the Russian political poster. They show a weak and cowardly enemy, as well as a heroic Russian people. Their folk imagery distinguishes them from British and German caricatures of the same era. Because the common people were depicted as noble and good in contrast to the enemy, the censors banned the caricatures after the war and the restoration of the old social order.

(Osteuropa 1/2013, pp. 51–60)