Force Majeure
Ferdinand Freiherr von Reznicek
1908
Here we have a classic case of 'the dog ate my homework,' but make it 1908 scandal! Ferdinand von Reznicek captures a hilarious domestic showdown in this illustration titled 'Force majeure'—a legal term for unavoidable accidents, used here ironically. A disheveled young woman in a white slip sits on the edge of her bed, looking back at a stern older woman who is clearly scolding her for staying out all night. The German caption reveals the cheeky punchline: the girl claims an 'impudent man' hid her clothes, leaving her stranded and unable to return home! It's a playful glimpse into the slightly risqué humor of the Art Nouveau era.
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