Father, dear father, come home with me now! (1913)

This striking 1913 illustration by Udo Keppler, entitled "Father, dear father, come home with me now!" captures a compelling and whimsical scene filled with political satire. At the center, a caricatured elderly man, labeled "The World," appears inebriated and unbalanced, his face flushed from the effects of alcohol. He is humorously depicted with a significant, bulbous head, emphasizing his state of confusion and lack of clarity.In his hands, the man holds bottles labeled "Aggravations" and "Army & Navy," suggesting the intoxicating and overwhelming nature of military and geopolitical complexities of the era. Next to him, an imposing barkeeper, sporting a majestic helmet reminiscent of martial imagery, presides over an assortment of bottles named after various aspects of military might, such as "Battle Ships" and "Fortifications." This figure likely symbolizes the military-industrial complex, serving up conflict and defense expenditure to the world.Adding a layer of poignant criticism, a young, desperate figure labeled "Peace" clutches at the older man's coattail, pleading with him to leave the bar — a metaphor for urging the world to turn away from militaristic endeavors and embrace peace. The scene is set in a bar, a place traditionally associated with escapism and lack of restraint, further underscoring the critique of reckless global military engagements.Keppler’s work cleverly uses humor and exaggeration to critique early 20th-century global politics, highlighting the destructive allure of military power and the often-ignored appeals for peace.