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Albert Robida (1848-1926) was not only known as a draughtsman, painter and caricaturist. He also made a name for himself as a writer and journalist. After school he began to study law. Actually, he wanted to become a notary. But the studies could not really inspire him. He discovered drawing for himself and invested a lot of time and energy in the newly discovered hobby. It didn't take long until he could successfully publish his first drawings. In 1866 his first drawing was printed in the magazine "Le Journal amusant". In the following years Robida published further works in different media. The publication of his drawings in the popular Parisian magazines "Chronique illustrée" and "Le Pollichinelle" gave him a career boost. Over time, the desire arose to publish his own magazine. In 1880 he implemented this exciting project together with the publisher George Decaux. The joint project of the two appeared under the title "La Caricature". Albert Robida worked as editor of the magazine for almost twelve years. The works of numerous caricaturists, humorous draughtsmen and writers became known to a broad public thanks to "La Caricature" magazine. Albert Robida was not only an unparalleled draughtsman and caricaturist himself. He also had the right feeling for the discovery of new and promising talents.
Robida's versatile talents are evident in the range of his projects. In addition to publishing his own magazine, he has produced caricatures, illustrated historical works, tourist guides and literary classics by Shakespeare, Balzac and Cervantes, among others. Today Robida is also known for his literary work. He wrote a series of books that can be assigned to the early genre of science fiction. Research shows that Robida is often compared with Jules Verne. Vernes is regarded as one of the founders of science fiction literature. But the works of both authors are different. Vernes magically describes the adventurous character of new inventions, while Robida views them rather matter-of-factly and soberly as part of everyday bourgeois life. He puts more emphasis on the social impact and upheavals caused by inventions and innovations. As a mastermind of his time, he addressed later social developments such as the equality of women or the effects of environmental pollution. In his comic strip "La Guerre au vingtième siècle, campagne de Jujubie" (1869), he dealt with warlike conflicts of the following century, which were fought with weapons such as chemical warfare agents and rockets. He also dealt with modern media technology and its impact on society. He predicted the basic features of many later developments. His view was definitely dystopian. In 1919 he spoke about future developments: People will live in a mechanized and hectic world, not knowing what peace and solitude will feel like. In conclusion, it can be said that Albert Robida was an observer, analyst and pioneer of his time, who left behind a varied and valuable life's work.
Albert Robida (1848-1926) was not only known as a draughtsman, painter and caricaturist. He also made a name for himself as a writer and journalist. After school he began to study law. Actually, he wanted to become a notary. But the studies could not really inspire him. He discovered drawing for himself and invested a lot of time and energy in the newly discovered hobby. It didn't take long until he could successfully publish his first drawings. In 1866 his first drawing was printed in the magazine "Le Journal amusant". In the following years Robida published further works in different media. The publication of his drawings in the popular Parisian magazines "Chronique illustrée" and "Le Pollichinelle" gave him a career boost. Over time, the desire arose to publish his own magazine. In 1880 he implemented this exciting project together with the publisher George Decaux. The joint project of the two appeared under the title "La Caricature". Albert Robida worked as editor of the magazine for almost twelve years. The works of numerous caricaturists, humorous draughtsmen and writers became known to a broad public thanks to "La Caricature" magazine. Albert Robida was not only an unparalleled draughtsman and caricaturist himself. He also had the right feeling for the discovery of new and promising talents.
Robida's versatile talents are evident in the range of his projects. In addition to publishing his own magazine, he has produced caricatures, illustrated historical works, tourist guides and literary classics by Shakespeare, Balzac and Cervantes, among others. Today Robida is also known for his literary work. He wrote a series of books that can be assigned to the early genre of science fiction. Research shows that Robida is often compared with Jules Verne. Vernes is regarded as one of the founders of science fiction literature. But the works of both authors are different. Vernes magically describes the adventurous character of new inventions, while Robida views them rather matter-of-factly and soberly as part of everyday bourgeois life. He puts more emphasis on the social impact and upheavals caused by inventions and innovations. As a mastermind of his time, he addressed later social developments such as the equality of women or the effects of environmental pollution. In his comic strip "La Guerre au vingtième siècle, campagne de Jujubie" (1869), he dealt with warlike conflicts of the following century, which were fought with weapons such as chemical warfare agents and rockets. He also dealt with modern media technology and its impact on society. He predicted the basic features of many later developments. His view was definitely dystopian. In 1919 he spoke about future developments: People will live in a mechanized and hectic world, not knowing what peace and solitude will feel like. In conclusion, it can be said that Albert Robida was an observer, analyst and pioneer of his time, who left behind a varied and valuable life's work.