Antique Natural HistoryOriginal plates from the naturalists' books, 1600s to 1900s
Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870

Close-ups

Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870, close-up 1Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870, close-up 2Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870, close-up 3Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870, close-up 4

Framed and on the wall

Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870, shown framed

Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.

Imperial Menagerie: Zangiacomi - The Ibis (Fetishism - Deception), 1870

€140 ($155, £120, €140)

Period original, not a reproduction.

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Date
1870
Size
12 × 9.5 in (30.5 × 24.1 cm)
Condition
Good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
Period
Late 19th century
Section
Birds
Reference
f_40627442

The print titled "La Ménagerie Impériale" is a satirical caricature featuring Zangiacomi. It is part of a series composed of 31 hand-colored lithograph plates by the artist Hadol, published in Paris by Au Bureau des Annonces around 1870. The album, "LA MENAGERIE IMPÉRIALE," depicts various figures as animals, metaphorically representing those who have "devoured" France over the past 20 years, including during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871).

In this specific print, Zangiacomi is depicted with his head attached to the body of an ibis. The ibis is shown standing in a marshy area, symbolizing fetishism and deception. The text at the top reads "ZANGIACOMI" and "N° 17," indicating this is the seventeenth in the series. Below the image, the caption "L'IBIS" (The Ibis) is followed by "Fétichisme - Mensonge" (Fetishism - Deception), emphasizing Zangiacomi's perceived involvement in idolatry and falsehoods.

Joseph Zangiacomi was a French politician (1766-1846).

The album as a whole, titled "LA MENAGERIE IMPÉRIALE," is a caricatural representation of the royal family and significant politicians of the time, using animal imagery to critique their roles and actions. The plates were originally issued loose in contemporary boards with a mounted hand-colored lithographed title. The format is small quarto (Sm. 4to), and the edges are slightly worn and browned, typical for works of this age.

This print, along with the rest of the album, serves as a historical and political commentary, utilizing humor and satire to criticize the leadership during a turbulent period in France’s history.