Juan Sintès: Master of Satire
This Spanish artist was one of the founding fathers of modern Egyptian caricature. Here we take a look at his work for al-Kashkul, and his deep engagement with Egyptian politics.
Self portrait and caricatures by Sintes (1929-12-22) by Juan SintesThe American University of Cairo - Libraries and Learning Technologies
The Spanish Hand Behind Egypt's Sharpest Satire
Juan Sintès (1881–1945) was a Spanish illustrator who had lived in Paris before moving to Cairo to teach engraving at the Faculty of Fine Arts. During the 1920s, he was Egypt's leading caricature artist, and poked fun at the rich and famous -- though he also didn't spare himself.
On the Political Stage (1928) by Juan SintesOriginal Source: al-Kashkūl, no. 376 (1928), p. 1
Sintès and al-Kashkul
From 1921 to 1929, he was the sole illustrator of the magazine al-Kashkul, and provided full-page covers that served as a biting commentary on Egyptian politics at the time.
These covers always included a satirical dialogue in Egyptian Arabic, which Sintès had mastered.
The Government and the London Legation (1928) by Juan SintesOriginal Source: al-Kashkūl, no. 361 (1928), p. 1
A grotesque, generous line
His scenes were built from solid black outlines, exaggerated faces an detailed backgrounds.
Every cover rewarded a second look: notice the stack of British papers here, the framed dignitary on the wall, the pyramids in the picture — small jokes layered into the main image.
Sintès used personification and symbolism in order to make the theme of his covers immediately recognisable: America is represented as Uncle Sam...
...
while Britain appears personified as John Bull, a portly man in a flat black hat.
Regarding the Peace Agreement (1928) by Juan SintesOriginal Source: al-Kashkūl, no. 369 (1928), p. 1
How do you draw "Egypt"?
The Egyptian flag was one of Sintès's favourite props for turning an abstract idea into a character you could feel sympathy for. Here it becomes a little girl's dress — Egypt herself, dragged along by Britain against her will.
The English Kick in the Butt (1928) by Juan SintesOriginal Source: al-Kashkūl, no. 365 (1928), p. 1
Nahhas Pasha, and the crisis of 1928
After the death of Saad Zaghloul, the Wafd Party came under new leadership.
From January 1928 until the well after the fall of the Wafd government, Sintès launched a series of vitriolic attacks against Nahhas and his inner circle.
In the Path of Desire (1928) by Juan SintesOriginal Source: al-Kashkūl, no. 371 (1928), p. 1
A frontal attack on the Wafd
There is nothing subtle here: Nahhas sits atop a locked cage; Wissa Wassef and Makram Ebeid flank him, laughing — while Egypt herself is trapped beneath their feet. It's one of Sintès' most confrontational images: the Wafd leadership as jailers of the country they lead.
Time and again, Nahhas is portrayed as a cynical opportunist who is subservient to British interests in Egypt.
Nahhas and the British
This caricature shows Nahhas Pasha dressing up in John Bull's clothes -- and covering the Egyptian flag underneath. The dialogue portrays Nahhas in the role of a little child trying to please his father.
Is it true?
Here's the twist Sintès' satire never quite reckoned with: Nahhas's government had already fallen that June — dismissed by King Fouad after a dispute that, if anything, had angered the British rather than pleased them.
This story: CC-BY, created by AUC Libraries and Learning Technologies.
If you are interested in studying Sintès works, or Egyptian caricatures in general, please contact AUC Library at rbscl-ref@aucegypt.edu.
Want to learn more? Read this article by Engy Aly, published by the Arabic Design Archive: "Al Kachkoul: A Decade of Changes—Politics and Design in an Illustrated 1920s Publication"
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.