The law-mills again at work (1900)

Udo Keppler's 1900 satirical painting, "The Law-Mills Again at Work," captures a striking critique of the burgeoning complexity and overwhelming abundance of American laws at the turn of the century. The painting is visually dominated by a sea of papers, each marked with the word "LAW," flowing dramatically down the steps of a building reminiscent of a Greco-Roman temple, possibly symbolizing the omnipresent reach of governmental or legislative power.A primary feature of this provocative artwork is the figure of Justice, traditionally depicted as blindfolded but here shown overwhelmed and submerged by the relentless waves of legal documents. The blindfold is absent, her eyes wide open in despair, and the scales of justice dangle uselessly from her grip, signifying the challenge of maintaining equity amid such legal proliferation.Adding a whimsical yet pointed touch to the composition, a caricature of a gentleman, likely representing a lawmaker or a proxy for the government, appears at the top left. This figure, fashioned in period attire complete with a top hat and an exaggerated posture of gleeful manipulation, rides atop the avalanche of papers, further emphasizing the control and churn produced by ceaseless legislative activity.Through rich color and detailed caricature typical of the period's political cartoons, Keppler not only offers a critical reflection on his contemporary legal landscape but also invokes a timeless reminder of the potential for law to both organize and overwhelm society.