In the November 7, 1858 issue of L'Artiste, one of the most distinguished French journals devoted to art criticism, Félix Bracquemond's etching Margot the Critic [A Magpie] provides a compelling visual allegory of the power of the press. The print casts a screeching magpie in the role of conceited critic, a quill in its talon, perched astride a globe labeled with Parisian institutions, including Opéra (Opera), Musée (Museum) and Académie(Academy). In the accompanying text, Margot proclaims, "Let us remake the world in my image / and the world will be a better place," and "Nothing is as beautiful as the ugly . . . the supreme law is to admire me in silence."