This is an oil on panel  32 1/16"x 25 1/4" owned by Mr and Mrs Wenneker of the USA.

In a similar manner to another of Vibert's paintings The Wrath of the Bishop the painting depicts the dislike of the press by the clergy of the time.

Two churchmen are seen clearly wrangling over an article in the morning edition of La Figaro. It seems to greatly delight the seated one, but his colleague, who seems to just have burst into the well appointed chamber, doesn't se the funny side and distainfully crumples the offending journal in his hand. The contrast is of one of types as much as one of attitude.

The seated figure is shown as round and jolly, whilst the other is gaunt and drawn. Perhaps he is trying to tell us that it's better to be fat and happy than thin and miserable.

Judging from his own profile Jehan George Vibert definitely fitted into the former category.

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