Firing up the wrong boiler (1897)

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** This colorful and illustrative artwork by John Samuel Pughe, created in 1897, masterfully blends political satire with vivid imagery. The painting titled "Firing Up the Wrong Boiler" depicts two figures, representing significant political ideologies of the time, engaged in controlling different aspects of an engine room full of symbolic machinery.On the left side, a man labeled "McKinley," a notable figure associated with economic prosperity and protectionist policies, stands confidently adjusting the "Prosperity Engine." His calm demeanor and assertive posture suggest a belief in controlling economic outcomes through deliberate and well-planned policies, as indicated by the labels on the engine and boiler such as "Protection Boiler" and "Sound Financial Policy."In stark contrast, on the right, another figure vigorously stokes the fire under the "Protection Boiler," fervently fueling it with "High Duties," demonstrating an aggressive approach to economic policies focused on imposing high tariffs. This individual's actions and the intense facial expression reflect an urgent and perhaps misguided effort to boost the economy through protective measures, as signified by the Republican whistle signaling a reactiveness to political pressures.This painting serves as a satirical commentary on the political-economic strategies of the late 19th century in America, highlighting the debate between different approaches to economic policy. Pughe’s use of rich colors and dynamic characters not only captures attention but also encourages viewers to reflect on the implications of these historical decisions.

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John Samuel Pughe, was a Welsh-born American political cartoonist, best known for his illustrations for Puck magazine.

John Samuel Pughe was born in Dolgelley, Merionethshire, Wales, and brought to America by his parents when he was two years old. He studied art at Cooper Union.

J. S. Pughe illustrated news stories for the New York Recorder, Brooklyn Life, and the Brooklyn edition of the World as a young man. He began working at Puck magazine in 1894. He was a regular contributor there until his last cartoon for them, in December 1908.

Pughe died in 1909, age 38, at Lakehurst, New Jersey, where he had been spending several months to improve his health.