Ouverture de la pêche
1882
Edmond Morin’s 1882 illustration captures the absolute madness of 'La Pêche Est Ouverte'—the opening of fishing season in France. Under a rustic banner declaring the season open, a massive crowd of eager anglers rushes into a narrow stream, creating a spectacular tangle of fishing rods and lines that looks more like a battlefield than a peaceful day out. It’s a humorous satire on the French passion for fishing, showing that when the season starts, it's a competitive free-for-all where personal space is the first casualty. In the foreground, a net seems to have scooped up a large bird, adding a final touch of absurdity to this frantic, tangled competition.
- Technique
- Wood engraving