This is a replica of the famous duel with rapiers between Emile Zola, the novelist, and Henri Rochefort, the statesman. The duel takes place on the identical ground where the original fighting occurred, seconds and doctors being present as in the original combat. The picture gives a good idea of how a French affair of honor is conducted.

Source: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company, Picture Catalogue, 1902

This is a replica of a supposed duel with rapiers between novelist Emile Zola (1840-1902) and journalist-publisher-statesman Henri Rochefort (1831-1913). The two men disagreed over the guilt of Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who had gone to prison for treason several years earlier. In Jan 1898, Zola wrote an inflammatory open letter called "J'Accuse...!" on the front page of L'Aurore, a popular newspaper, claiming Dreyfus had been framed by anti-Semitic forces in the French government. Rochefort was a rapid proponent of the anti-Dreyfus side. The duel takes place at the purported location of the original duel, complete with seconds and doctors.

Source: AFI