Three happy old friends – hurrah for the thousandth number! (1896)

Udo Keppler's vibrant 1896 artwork, "Three happy old friends – hurrah for the thousandth number!", playfully illustrates the celebration of an ideological milestone. This whimsical painting depicts three anthropomorphized characters representing major political parties dancing joyously together. The figures, adorned in flowing, period-specific garments labeled 'Republican Party', 'Democratic Party', and 'Reform Party', symbolize unity and shared jubilation amid their usual rivalries in the political arena.At the center of the composition, we see a cherubic figure, representing the Reform Party, gleefully linking arms with his counterparts, highlighting a moment of harmony and cooperation. To the left, the character for the Republican Party, dressed in an elegant blue-striped gown, dances with jubilation. On the right, the Democratic Party is characterized by a stout figure in green, conveying a sense of sturdy resolve mixed with festive spirit. Together, they are caught in a spirited dance, suggesting that despite their differences, there is room for celebration and camaraderie.This painting captures a significant, albeit satirical, perspective on American politics at the time, using humor and caricature to comment on the potential for concord among competing political views.