French cartoonist Luz has won the prestigious Fauve d’Or (Golden Wildcat) at the 2025 Angoulême International Comics Festival for his graphic novel Deux filles nues (Two Naked Girls), named after the 1919 painting at the center of its story. According to Le Parisien, the album, which explores the rise of Nazism through the lens of the looted artwork by German artist Otto Mueller, was selected from 44 entries to receive the top honor.
In addition to the Fauve d’Or, Deux filles nues has also received several other major literary prizes, including the Prix Wolinski de la BD du Point (2024), the Grand Prix de la Critique ACBD (2025), and a spot in the Télérama Selection of the Best Graphic Novels of 2024. These accolades further highlight the novel’s impact, both artistically and historically.
Luz, who has been a prominent figure in the world of graphic novels for over a decade, described his work as both a historical and contemporary commentary. “I wanted to tell the story of a painting that witnessed tragic events, particularly the rise of the far-right,” Luz explained during his acceptance speech. The graphic novel parallels the Nazi regime’s brutal suppression of “degenerate art” and the ongoing threat of far-right ideologies today. Luz also reflected on the influence of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo attack, of which he was a survivor, on his artistic evolution. He stated, as reported by 20 Minutes, “There was no longer anything else to do” following the attack, which pushed him further into his work as a graphic novelist.
The story centers around a painting by Otto Mueller, created in 1919, which was stolen by the Nazis from a Jewish collector. The painting’s journey, including its restitution after World War II, serves as a powerful vehicle for exploring the broader cultural and political forces that shaped the rise of fascism in Germany. The album highlights the struggles of Jewish communities under Nazi rule, particularly through the lens of art and cultural theft, as detailed by Actualité.
The jury, led by actress and director Zabou Breitman, selected Deux filles nues for its depth and relevance in today’s political climate. Luz’s work stood out not only for its compelling narrative but also for its striking visual style, which intertwines historical reflection with a modern-day message about the resurgence of far-right politics.
Other notable winners at the festival included Les Météores and En territoire ennemi, both of which received special jury prizes. In addition, the Fauve de la Série was awarded to the Japanese graphic novel Dementia 21 by Shintaro Kago, praised for its unique, offbeat tone.
As reported by Le Parisien, Luz’s recognition at the 2025 Festival d’Angoulême underscores the enduring power of graphic novels to address complex historical and social issues while continuing to push boundaries in both artistic and intellectual spheres. According to Amazon France, Deux filles nues is currently ranked as the #1 best seller in historical graphic novels (Bandes dessinées historiques).
