Early French political cartoon/caricature postcard depicting President of France Félix Faure
Félix François Faure (1841-1899) was President of France from 1895 until his death in 1899. The cartoon appears to make reference to various aspect of Faure’s political career. He was under-secretary for the colonies in Ferry's ministry in November 1882, a post he retained until 1885, during which period he maintained friendly relations with the minister of the navy and was able to obtain a significant degree of initiative. He was also minister of marine in the administration of Charles Dupuy, a cabinet rank he obtained in 1894. In the following January, he was unexpectedly elected President of the Republic upon the resignation of President Casimir-Perier. The principal cause of his elevation was the determination of the various sections of the moderate republican party to exclude Henri Brisson. In 1895 he granted amnesty to the anarchist movements, enabling the return from exile in England of several famous anarchists, such as Émile Pouget.