ALSACE - Colmar and Hansi the Illustrator

With the life and works of the artist, Hansi, a French Second Lieutenant during the Great War, in our mind, we make a walk through the historic city centre of Colmar.

To help you understand the architecture of Colmar, some of the Alsatian culture, and the work of our leading character, Hansi, I would like to sketch you a concise history of Colmar with the emphasis on the period of 1870-1918.

In history Alsace Lorraine, a vital and an important industrial area, has always been a bone of contention for the French and the neighbouring German states. In 1679, while the Thirty Years War was still going on, Colmar was ceded to France in the Treaties of Nijmegen. As a result of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 the newly formed German Empire annexed Alsace Lorraine and of course Colmar. Alsace returned to France after World War I. 

So, from 1870 until 1918 Hansi's Alsace Lorraine and Colmar belonged to the German "Reich" as "Reichsland Elzass Lotharingen". The Germans often called Colmar: "Kolmar".

Though traditionally being used to change authorities, this German "occupation" had quite an impact on the Alsatians.

The Alsatians became German citizens. They had to obey German laws, had to pay their German taxes, and had to enlist under the conscription law in the German Army. The German government encouraged the migration of more Germans into Alsace Lorraine. German became the official language. The German "Kultur" was superior to the French.

These conditions, a proces of " Germanisation", were feeding the nationalism and patriottism of French Alsatians like the young Jean-Jacques "Hansi" Waltz. 

Colmar August 1914

From the 28th the Germans drove the French troops back westward to a frontline, running roughly from Wintzenheim to Katzenthal. For the rest of the war Colmar would remain in German possession. In a matter of weeks the Germans forced the French to withdraw more westward, on the ridges of the Vosges.

Alsace Lorraine and Colmar returned to France after the Great War, were annexed again by Nazi Germany in 1940, and then reverted to the French authorities in 1945 after the battle of the "Colmar Pocket" .

We start our walk southwest of the Saint Martin at the Place de l'Ancienne Douane. My late wife Christ ( + 08-05-2018 ) stands in front of the Schwendi fountain, made by Bartholdi.

After all these centuries of hostilities and changing nationalities, in the unified Europe of nowadays both the German and French cultures have blended nicely together into a pleasant mix and life style.

You will recognise this rich Franco German culture mix in the baroque buildings, like "Le Koifhus", l'Ancienne Douane

"Koifhus" means "Kauf Haus", l'Ancienne Douane, the old custom house used to be the centre of trade administration.

View from Place de l'Ancienne Douane to the Quartier des Tanneurs.

French style and German style fronts are mixed and alternating each other.

The owner of the "Chez Hansi" Restaurant adopted Hansi's reputation.

... like the famous "Choucroute à l'Alsacienne", a lushful sauerkraut dish of Franco German origin.

Rue des Marchands and in the background the tower of the Cathedral of Saint Martin.

Maison Pfister is one of the most beautiful townhouses in Alsace and a landmark in Colmar.

Maison Pfister is named after a previous owner of the 19th century. The house was built in 1537 for the hatter, Ludwig Scherer. The architecture is still medieval, but the decoration of the facade is in Renaissance style. The paintings depict Habsburg Emperors of the 16th century, evangelists, and bible scenes.

In one of his books, "The History of Alsace, told to little children by Uncle Hansi", Hansi also aquarelled the Maison Pfister, relating to the events of 1870 in Colmar during the Franco-Prussian War.

As in all small villages in Alsace, the storks have also here in Colmar their own nest on the roof of the church. "Martin" and "Martine" are guarding their little ones and the city.

Storks are the national symbol of Alsace. The stork is also an important theme in Hansi's illustrations.

At the end of the Rue des Marchands we go right to the Boulevard des Champs de Mars.

At the corner with Place Rapp stands this memorial bust for Hansi.

Opposite the Hansi memorial, at the other side of the street at number 9, the house where Hansi lived from 1921 until his death in 1951.

Hansi was already during his schooldays showing his deep aversion to the prevailing Pan Germanism in drawings and cartoons. During that period Pan Germanism was in full bloom under the direction of the Kaiser. During these days as a youngster he already irritated the authorities.

Hansi often liked to wander around in the beautiful landscape of Alsace making sketches and drawings of the picturesque villages. 

Professor Knatschke

In 1908 Hansi published his satiric novel, "Professor Knatschke", criticising the Germans with his texts and caricatural illustrations. This is the cover of a version in the German language. 

This book, indeed, was a revelation. His favorite character, the German Gendarme. 

Professor Knatschke, visits, as a German Tourist, the Louvre Museum in Paris. Hansi introduces also one of his most favourite themes: German Tourists.

Hansi's written observations are satirical and rather vicious, though Hansi avoids excess in his black and white caricatures.   

Hansi tells the history of Alsace. His text possesses a firm French, patriotic, and anti-German view point. Though being a book meant for children, the political message of the illustrations is clear.

Quote accompanying this picture:

"But the people of Baden then had another speciality, and as soon as the hordes arrived near a farm in Alsace, they looted the lower court. They took everything, but they especially preferred eggs. They made enormous omelettes, which they described as colossal, and so great for to go faster, they broke the eggs with their feet.  Since that time they are called in Alsace: "Men with egg yolk feet" (in Celtic Galfiesla)."

About the period after 1871 : the arrival of German immigrants in Alsace.

For fellow front travellers a recognisable image: The Alsatian children of Hansi's village visit a French memorial and the battlefields of 1870. Gretel holds a garland under her arm.

On 1 September 1914 the German government in Kolmar announced on placards, that

"The painter, Jean-Jacques Waltz, called Hansi", and two other notables from Colmar, "who are to be found amongst the French troops, are declared traitors. Anyone who knows of their residence, or is hiding them in his residence, will be shot after war custom. Der Ortskommandant Kolmar, Oberleutnant von Wellebin".

During the Great War Hansi went on illustrating, especially propaganda postcards. The liberation of an Alsatian village in August 1914 inspired Hansi in August 1918 to make two illustrations for postcards. Hansi commented afterwards: "A village somewhere between Thann and Wesserling on 4 August 1914, the first day of the war."

Hansi: "The same village during the French liberation on 10 August 1914. Everybody is happy, even the stork on the roof of the school is in a good mood."

Hansi's caricatures became more nastier. Another favourite theme of Hansi returned: the looting German soldier with a huge clock on his back.

But in 1940 Jean-Jacques Waltz was forced again to escape from the Germans to the "free" Vichy zone. But the revengeful German authorities had not forgotten him. In April 1941 the Gestapo succeeded to find Hansi in Agen, where they molested him seriously at night in front of his home. The Gestapo assumed that Waltz was dead, and left him for dead behind. Hansi managed again to flee again, this time to Switzerland. Until his dead Waltz would still suffer from these injuries. 

In 1945, when Colmar became again French, he returned home. 0n 10 June 1951 Oncle Hansi Waltz, died of old age (78) at his home on the Boulevard du Champ de Mars. During his life Hansi has been awarded with the title Commandor of the Légion d'Honneur, with the Croix de Guerre 1914-1918 with palms, and the Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 with palms. 

Rue des Clefs. Hansi was born at number 41.

Grande Rue. 

The last pictures are from the Quartier de la Petite Venise, "Little Venice".