Musée Montmartre and the Captivating Cats of Théophile Steinlen

Apotheosis of cats

Tucked away in a corner of the 18th arrondissement, just steps from Sacré-Cœur and la Place du Tertre, lies one of Paris’ lesser-known gems, the Musée de Montmartre. This picturesque museum, built in the 17th century, is surrounded by gardens that begin charming visitors before they ever step indoors. Such…

Continue reading

France’s Favorite Cartoonists Set Fire to the New U.S. Presidency

Retour à la maison blanche, par Thiago

Since President Biden left the White House, the daily news cycle has turned into a foutoir total. Every day, we hear stories about cuts to important government departments, violations of human rights, aggressive actions taken against our allies, declining stock prices, failed peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, ongoing conflict…

Continue reading

Art’s Importance in Times of Oppression, A Revolutionary’s Take

Man at the Crossroads by Diego Rivera

Until reading Barbara Kingsolver’s fictional novel La Lacuna, I would never have envisioned Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky, French surrealist author André Breton, and Mexican muralist and painter Diego Rivera as part of the same squad. Their commitment to Marxism drew these three extraordinary men together and, for a brief period,…

Continue reading

Victor Hugo’s Lifelong Crusade to Kill the Death Penalty

Prisoner being led to the guillotine

Urgent While writing this post, I learned that Marcellus Williams is scheduled to be executed on September 24, 2024. His case is highly unusual because even the prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, Wesley Bell, has been filing appeals to vacate Williams’ conviction and subsequent death sentence. Last week, Judge…

Continue reading

France’s Year of the Olympics? Or of Political Pandemonium?

Paths to victory, by Truant

Sick of American politics? Check out the chaos in France. In the immediate wake of crushing losses for his centrist party during June’s European Parliamentary elections, President Emmanuel Macron went rogue by dissolving the Assemblée nationale (the equivalent of our House of Representatives) and calling for a snap election. Macron’s…

Continue reading

French Presidential Election, The Left Turns its Back on Macron

Macron vs. Le Pen

A punishing 3-hour debate between Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen on Wednesday revealed stark differences between the two candidates. Yet, many wonder if Macron has done enough to garner support from the disillusioned left. On Sunday, French citizens will head to the polls for the second and final round…

Continue reading

Battle for Ukraine, Through the Eyes of French Editorial Cartoonists

Putin's table by Chappatte

We can argue about whether editorial cartoons make us laugh or cry, but the best among them should make us think. Here are some of my favorites from France which take aim at Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine and the West’s counter-reaction. See Also Masterful Street Artists Across France Hail…

Continue reading

Four frontrunners intensify Sunday’s French presidential election

French political posters

This Sunday, French citizens are planning to vote in the first round of presidential elections. Eleven contenders are competing for the top two positions that will gain them a spot in the second and final round. Polls in recent months have echoed the fluctuating popularity of the nation’s many candidates.…

Continue reading