Mr. Sisyphus Cortelyou rolling it up (1904)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Mr. Sisyphus Cortelyou Rolling It Up" is a captivating artwork by Udo Keppler from 1904, which offers a satirical spin on classical mythology to comment on contemporary political events. In this vibrant painting, Keppler reimagines the myth of Sisyphus, a figure doomed to eternally roll a boulder uphill, to portray a political scene relevant to his time.The subject of the painting is a man dressed in ancient Greek attire, representing George Bruce Cortelyou, who strenuously pushes a massive boulder up a steep incline. The boulder is boldly inscribed with "MAJORITY FOR ROOSEVELT," suggesting the daunting task Cortelyou faced in securing a majority for Theodore Roosevelt in the political landscape of early 20th-century America.Keppler's use of exaggerated features and intense expressions captures the Herculean effort and the almost insurmountable challenge faced by Cortelyou. The artwork cleverly uses the allegory of Sisyphus to critique the ongoing struggles and relentless efforts involved in political campaigns.
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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.