Skeptic
1907
Fernand Louis Gottlob was a celebrated French illustrator known for his witty sketches in magazines like Le Rire. In this 1907 piece titled Sceptique, a portly gentleman in a top hat tips his hat with an expression of utter bewilderment, while a woman beside him smiles with knowing amusement. The handwritten caption at the bottom—'Madame!... Je suis fout!' (Madam, I'm done for!)—suggests she has just imparted some scandalous knowledge that has completely overwhelmed him. It’s a hilarious glimpse into the flirtatious and satirical spirit of the Belle Époque.
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