Putting the screws on him (1904)

Udo Keppler's 1904 cartoon "Putting the Screws on Him" is a vibrant and satirical critique of corporate monopolies in the early 20th century. The illustration humorously encapsulates the struggle between public interest and the overwhelming power of 'The Trusts'—a term used historically to describe monopolies that dominated various sectors of the economy.In this colorful work, a rotund and startled man, embodying the personification of a trust, is tightly bound by a massive cloth labeled 'The Trusts'. His bound form bulges with gold coins and dollar bills, symbolizing the excessive wealth amassed by these monopolistic entities. At the center of the action, a devilish figure represents the progressive forces attempting to regulate these trusts. He turns a crank on a vice that pressurizes the trust figure, illustrating the imposition of regulations or legal constraints aimed at curbing the trust's power.In the backdrop, a smiling man watches from a window—a possible depiction of the general public or a government official enjoying the scene of justice being served.Through exaggerated characters and vivid imagery, Keppler provides a biting commentary on the economic landscape of his time, using humor and caricature to underscore serious societal debates about wealth, control, and equity.