Satirical Image about the Illuminati and their Propaganda Efforts (c. 1785/86)

In 1785, the Bavarian government banned the Illuminati Order, which it regarded as treacherous and hostile to religion. There were house searches and some members of the Order who were employed by the Bavarian government were dismissed from their posts. Although criminal prosecution of the Illuminati was limited in scope, their sympathizers, especially journalists and publicists, criticized the actions of the government of the Electorate of Bavaria and spoke of an “inquisition.” The episode was taken as evidence of a prejudiced, Catholic, backward, anti-Enlightenment Bavarian government. This pen-and-ink drawing depicts two devilish creatures firing a cannon that assails the city of Munich with broadsheets. The image is critical of the Illuminati and the journalistic “campaigning” that surrounded them.