{"product_id":"salue-dabord-cest-lauto-de-la-prefecture-felix-vallotton","title":"Salue d'abord, c'est l'auto de la Préfecture - Félix Vallotton","description":"\u003cp\u003eA biting 1901 satirical lithograph by Félix Vallotton, critiquing state authority and social inequality in early twentieth-century France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eThis lithograph by Félix Vallotton appeared in the satirical weekly magazine L'Assiette au Beurre in 1901. The image depicts a grim scene where a motorcar has struck a pedestrian, while two police officers stand nearby, seemingly indifferent to the victim. The caption, 'Salue d'abord, c'est l'auto de la Préfecture' (Salute first, it is the Prefecture's car), serves as a biting critique of the social hierarchy and the impunity enjoyed by state authorities in early twentieth-century France.\n\nVallotton employs his characteristic graphic style, defined by bold, flat areas of colour and heavy black outlines. The composition is stark and direct, stripping away unnecessary detail to focus on the power imbalance between the state and the individual. The yellow of the car provides a jarring contrast to the muted tones of the street and the dark uniforms of the police. The victim, positioned at the bottom of the frame, is rendered with a sense of vulnerability that contrasts with the rigid, upright figures of the officers. \n\nAs a member of the Nabis group, Vallotton was known for his ability to distil complex social observations into simplified, impactful visual forms. This work demonstrates his capacity for social commentary, using the medium of the popular press to reach a wide audience. The print reflects the anxieties of the era regarding the rapid modernisation of transport and the perceived corruption within the Parisian police force. By removing depth and perspective, Vallotton forces the viewer to confront the narrative directly, without the distraction of atmospheric effects or painterly flourishes. The work remains a sharp example of political satire from the turn of the century, demonstrating the artist's technical precision and his critical eye for the social tensions of his time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/poisson-et-algues-papier-peint-pigeon-et-pavots-bordure-de-vitrail-maurice-pillard-verneuil\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePoisson et Algues, Papier Peint \/ Pigeon et Pavots, Bordure de Vitrail - Maurice Pillard Verneuil — Maurice Pillard Verneuil\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/as-for-me-at-least-i-dont-say-that-i-dont-like-proof-spirits-paul-gavarni\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eAs for me, at least I don't say that I don't like proof spirits - Paul Gavarni — Paul Gavarni\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Félix Vallotton","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58043527135567,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58043528642895,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58043528675663,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58043528708431,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58043528741199,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Salue-d-abord-c-est-l-auto-de-la-Pr-fecture_Poster_CompositorV1_1782356285757.jpg?v=1782356449","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/salue-dabord-cest-lauto-de-la-prefecture-felix-vallotton","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}