Fernand Pelez (Paris, January 18, 1843 – August 7, 1913) was a French painter of Spanish origin who worked in Paris. Pelez portrayed social issues in a realistic style. (Wikipedia)

Read a short analysis of his work over at The Art Tribune. In addition, for French reader, don’t miss Myriam Tsikounas’ exposé on the socio-historical context of this image over at the L’Histoire par l’image website.

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, frequently referred to as just Steinlen (November 10, 1859 – December 13, 1923), was a Swiss-born French Art Nouveau painter and printmaker. (wikipedia)

You may know Steinlen for his famous Tournée du Chat Noir poster (1896).

400 Blows, François Truffaut, 1959 / IMDb

First caption:

Storming of the Bastille:

The citizens of Paris led by the Gardes Françaises on the 14th of July 1789. Building of this fortification started in 1369 during the reign of Charles V. Hugues Aubriot, a native of Dijon and Provost of Paris, laid the first stone. Construction was completed in 1382. Aubriot was born in Dijon. He became one of the first prisoners of the Bastille, imprisoned under the pretext of heresy. He was liberated by the Parisians during the troubles that stirred the capital, and escaped to his motherland.

Second caption:

This is how we punish traitors.