L'Illustration

A pioneering French weekly newspaper that began publication in 1860, L'Illustration is as much a landmark of comics history as of journalism, thanks to its pioneering use of sequential art. Over its 41-issue run, the series featured the satirical and narrative talents of writer-artists like Malatesta, Caran d'Ache, and Amédée de Noé (working under the pen name Cham), whose work helped define the early language of the comic strip. Published by the eponymous L'Illustration company, it matters as a vital bridge between political caricature and the modern comic, offering a rich visual record of 19th-century French culture and humor.