Ministers, In The Restroom

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Ministers, In The Restroom

This sketch shows a French minister speaking with a restroom assistant who is holding a towel, saying Give me another one, you can see that this one is clean. Date: circa 1901

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Media ID 32261600

© CLM Archive Collection / Mary Evans

Assistant Clean Forain Give Issue Jean Louis Lalbum Maitres Minister Ministers Speaking Towel 1901 Restroom

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EDITORS COMMENTS
This sketch, titled "Ministers, Restroom" from the "Album des Maîtres de la Caricature" issue of October 17, 1901, published by Jean Louis Forain, offers a humorous and intriguing glimpse into the private world of French politics during the early 20th century. The image depicts a distinguished-looking French minister engaged in a conversation with a restroom attendant, both figures dressed in formal attire. The minister, with a serious expression, is requesting a fresh towel from the attendant, who holds out a pristine white towel in response. The caption "Give me another one, you can see that this one is clean" adds to the lighthearted and playful tone of the scene. The setting of the restroom, an unexpected location for such an interaction, adds to the intrigue and subverts the typical power dynamics of the time. It is a reminder that even those in positions of great authority and influence are still human, with basic needs and dependencies. The sketch also highlights the role of the support staff, often unnoticed and unacknowledged, in maintaining the daily functions of society. The "Album des Maîtres de la Caricature" was a renowned French publication known for its satirical and political commentary, and this image is a prime example of its ability to capture the zeitgeist of the time through humor and insight. The sketch, with its timeless wit and charm, continues to resonate with viewers over a century later and offers a unique perspective into the past.

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