Protection! (1909)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Udo Keppler's captivating painting "Protection!" created in 1909, offers a profound narrative through a dramatic and picturesque landscape intertwined with symbolic figures. The artwork illustrates two central figures, set against a rugged mountainous backdrop bathed in hues of blue and peach, evoking both the calm and foreboding nature of the wilderness.Dominating the foreground, a Native American figure, depicted in a stoic pose, points towards a distant, undisturbed stretch of land. Clad in traditional attire, he stands protectively with a banner draped over his arm, symbolizing his connection and claim to the native soil. Accompanying him is a mythical figure, perhaps an allegorical representation of America, who gracefully guides his gaze over the serene landscape. Her flowing hair and ethereal presence bring a protective benevolence to the scene, suggesting a guardian-like role over the traditional and sacred homeland displayed.In the backdrop, the painted mountains bask in the light of what could be either dawn or dusk, casting a glow that artistically divides the vista into shades of warmth and shadows, reflecting the painting's thematic interplay of hope and solemnity. A river meanders through the valley, adding a sense of continuity and the nurturing presence of nature amidst the serene yet imposing mountains.Keppler’s "Protection!" is a poignant exploration of heritage, guardianship, and the deep-seated respect for natural landscapes that define cultural identity.
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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.