France / China: 'Chine, le gateau des rois et des empereurs' ('China, the cake of kings and of emperors'). Political cartoon by Henri Meyer, 'Le Petit Journal',16 January 1898

France / China: 'Chine, le gateau des rois et des empereurs' ('China, the cake of kings and of emperors'). Political cartoon by Henri Meyer, 'Le Petit Journal',16 January 1898

In this French political cartoon from 1898 a pastry representing China is being divided between caricatures of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and William II of Germany (who is squabbling with Queen Victoria over a borderland piece, whilst thrusting a knife into the pie to signify aggressive German intentions). Also present are Nicholas II of Russia, who is eyeing a particular piece, the French Marianne (who is diplomatically shown as not participating in the carving, and is depicted as close to Nicholas II, as a reminder of the Franco-Russian Alliance), and a samurai representing Japan, carefully contemplating which pieces to take. A stereotypical Qing official throws up his hands to try and stop them, but is powerless. The drawing is a figurative representation of the Imperialist tendencies of these nations towards China in the late 19th century.

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3600 x 4843 px | 49.9 MB

30.5 x 41.0 cm | 12.0 x 16.1 in (300 dpi)