Prosperity (1907)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Prosperity" is a thought-provoking illustration by artist Udo Keppler, featured in Puck Magazine in 1907. The painting conveys a vivid metaphor for the ebb and flow of economic cycles. At the center of the artwork is a large red balloon, vibrantly colored and inscribed with the words "BIG BUSINESS" and "BIG ORDERS," symbolizing the booming economy and the large-scale enterprises thriving at that time. The balloon is tethered to the ground by a slender string labeled "COLLECTIONS," hinting at the fragile link between booming business and the actual capital flow back into the enterprises.A hand, depicted in strong detail, pinches the balloon’s string, suggesting control or perhaps the delicate handling required to maintain such economic expansion without triggering a burst. The background is minimally detailed, directing all attention to the balloon and the hand, thereby emphasizing their symbolic significance.This artwork captures the optimism and the underlying tensions of its era, presenting a critical reflection on economic stability and the potential threats that loom large during times of prosperity.
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Udo J. Keppler, since 1894. known as Joseph Keppler, Jr., was an American political cartoonist, publisher, and Native American advocate. The son of cartoonist Joseph Keppler (1838–1894), who founded Puck magazine, the younger Keppler also contributed to cartoons, and after his father's death became co-owner of the magazine under the name Joseph Keppler. He was also a collector of Native American artifacts.