The Punishment of the Naughty Children (Max & Moritz)
1870-80
Wilhelm Busch, often called the father of the comic strip, delivers a darkly humorous moral lesson in this sketch. A hunched, witch-like character with a massive nose stirs a cauldron labeled 'Max u. Moritz,' while neighboring pots boil over with other naughty children labeled for sins like 'Lügen' (lies). The German poem at the bottom warns that those who do evil, snack, or lie will end up roasting in these hot pots. This grimly funny scene perfectly captures Busch's signature style, blending simple drawings with brutal punchlines that influenced generations of cartoonists.
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