Νέος Αριστοφάνης (New Aristophanes): Greek War Preparations

This Greek chromolithograph depicts a military officer steering a boat through treacherous waters populated by grotesque sea-creatures wearing national headdresses—caricatured representations of foreign powers. The satirist draws on the classical reference to Aristophanes, ancient comedy's sharpest political voice, to mock contemporary Greek military ambitions during a period of Balkan tensions. The print exemplifies the European tradition of political caricature descended from Gillray and Rowlandson: exaggerated physiognomies, allegorical symbolism, and chromolithographic color applied to urgent topical commentary.