Honor to McKinley! (1898)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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This striking 1898 political cartoon by Udo Keppler, titled "Honor to McKinley!", captures a vivid commentary on President William McKinley's policies and the public's reaction to his approach towards warfare. In the painting, President McKinley is portrayed calmly reading a document titled "Ulterior motives back of the war," suggesting hidden agendas and manipulations within the government’s moves towards conflict.Above McKinley, two boisterous and unruly figures, likely representing political opponents or the voice of public concern, clash amid a flurry of papers with the word “WAR” emblazoned prominently. These sheets are filled with chaotic calls to action and skeptical remarks such as “Extra sessions!” and “McKinley no longer eager for war,” showcasing the heated debates and fluctuating opinions of that era.The cartoon uses a dynamic and exaggerated style typical of the period's political satire, emphasizing the tension and division within American society about the decisions leading to war. Keppler's work serves not only as an artistic expression but also as a historical reflection on how media and political cartoons were powerful tools in shaping public opinion and political discourse at the turn of the 20th century.
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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.