It’s comin’ after us! (1912)

Udo Keppler's striking painting titled "It’s comin’ after us!" from 1912 is a fascinating exploration of political commentary through art. This engaging piece presents an ominous and spectral elephant, glowing in ghostly hues, looms menacingly over two frantic figures who appear to be running for their lives. The elephant, traditionally a symbol of the Republican Party in the United States, is depicted here not just as a political mascot but as a haunting presence, suggesting themes of doom or inescapable legacy.The setting is equally evocative, featuring a graveyard under a gloomy, darkening sky. The tombstone in the foreground inscribed with "Sacred to the memory of a United Republican Party" drives the message home, hinting at internal divisions within the party that had perhaps led to its metaphorical demise or transformation at that period.Keppler, renowned for his political cartoons, cleverly uses this scene to critique and illustrate the political tensions of his time, encapsulating fears and internal conflicts within the party through visual metaphors. The ghostly elephant, an almost phantasmagorical figure, represents the looming consequences of such divisions, overshadowing the individuals associated with the party.This painting not only serves as a piece of historical commentary but also invites viewers to reflect on the cyclical nature of political issues, the haunting repercussions of political decisions, and the ever-present specters of past ideologies.