Here’s how! (1908)

"Here’s how!" (1908) by Udo Keppler is a striking political cartoon that encapsulates the intricate dynamics of early 20th century American politics. The painting is visually engaging and uses symbolic representation to critique political actions and their repercussions on the populace.In the image, a large hand labeled "Republican Party" pours a golden liquid from a bottle marked "Tariff Revision" into a glass held by another hand labeled "Protected Interests." This stream of gold overflows from the glass of protected interests into a much smaller glass held by a hand labeled "Consumer."This visual allegory comments on the distribution of benefits and burdens resulting from the tariff policies implemented by the Republican Party during that era. The painting suggests that the main benefactors of these policies are the protected businesses, while the ordinary consumer receives a much lesser share, highlighted by the stark difference in the size of the glasses and the volume of liquid each receives.Keppler’s artwork serves as a poignant critique of policies perceived as favoring specific groups at the expense of broader public benefit. Through clever imagery and clear labels, Keppler conveys a complex political situation in a straightforward and impactful manner, encapsulating the imbalances inherent in political decision-making.