The official scapegoat (1905)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"The Official Scapegoat" (1905) by Udo Keppler is a captivating illustration that offers a satirical take on corporate misdemeanors and their consequences. The artwork vividly portrays a man, possibly a corporate official, redirecting a torrent of coins from the institution's cash reserves under labels such as 'Cashier,' 'Vice-Pres.' and 'President,' into his own overflowing fireplace. His aggressive and almost theatrical posture, as he shoves the coins with a shovel, depicts both the greed and carelessness often associated with corporate malpractice.The official’s expression is one of anger and determination, highlighting his active participation in the misdeeds. At his side, a trash bin labeled "collateral" overflows with "bogus securities," pointing to the deceptive practices used to bolster his own gain. In the background, a figure in a striped prison uniform stands nonchalantly, spectating the scene— the true 'scapegoat' who is likely to take the blame for the visible corruption conducted by the principal character.Keppler's work is a masterful critique of corruption and accountability in corporate culture, using exaggerated figures and settings to emphasize the absurdity and injustice of the scapegoating practice.
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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.