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Satirical ballooning image
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Satirical ballooning image
A rude satirical image of large and small balloons tied together, lifting a cannon, entitled The Montgolsier. A first rate of the French Aerial Navy. A Fart, an Ass, a Fool, A Monkey, a Nothing.
1783
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Media ID 7474921
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10610185
1780s 1783 Balloon Ballooning Cannon Fanciful Fool Lifting Monkey Montgolfier Rate Rude Satire Satirical Tied Fart
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EDITORS COMMENTS
The Montgolsier: A Satirical Image of Early Aerial Transportation, 1783 This satirical print, titled "The Montgolsier: A First Rate of the French Aerial Navy," depicts a fanciful and rude image of a hot air balloon lifting a cannon, with a large balloon labeled "A Fart," a smaller balloon labeled "An Ass," and three figures identified as a Fool, a Monkey, and a "Nothing." The scene is entitled "Aerial Navigation," and the image pokes fun at the early days of ballooning, which was still a novel and uncertain form of transportation in the late 18th century. The Montgolsier is a clear example of the humorous and irreverent tone that characterized much of the satire of the time. Hot air balloons had only recently been invented, and the public was fascinated by the new technology. The Montgolsier playfully imagines a military application for the balloon, with the cannon representing the weaponry of the French Aerial Navy. The ridiculous image of a balloon lifting a heavy cannon is a commentary on the impracticality and absurdity of such an endeavor. The figures in the print add to the satire, with the Fool, Monkey, and Nothing representing the unpredictability and uncontrollability of the balloon and its passengers. The print also plays on the double meaning of the term "Montgolsier," which was both the name of the Montgolfier brothers who invented the hot air balloon and a derogatory term for a foolish or stupid person. Despite its satirical intent, the Montgolsier reflects the excitement and curiosity of the public towards the new technology of ballooning. The print is a reminder of the early days of aeronautical history and the role of humor and satire in shaping public perception of new innovations.
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