"All of the wolves are brothers" from Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals 1832 - 1852

J. J. Grandville created this lithograph, "All of the wolves are brothers" in France as part of his "Scenes from the Private and Public Life of Animals." Here, Grandville uses anthropomorphic animal figures to satirize French society and politics. The print depicts a group of wolves in human clothing engaged in various activities. One wolf, dressed as a military officer, presides over the scene, while others dance, drink, and engage in shady dealings. The title, "All the wolves are brothers," is an ironic commentary on the corruption and hypocrisy that Grandville saw in the French government and society of his time. Grandville was a master of social satire, and his work often reflected the political and social turmoil of 19th-century France. His prints were widely popular, but they also drew criticism from those who felt that he was too critical of the established order. To understand the context, search for 19th-century French political cartoons and the history of the July Monarchy. Grandville's art offers a lens through which to examine the dynamics of power and the ways in which art can both reflect and challenge social norms.