The jam of the Johnson boom (1908)

Udo Keppler's 1908 dynamic illustration, "The Jam of the Johnson Boom," captures a vivid scene of intense activity and natural force. The painting dramatizes a moment where a lumberjack navigates a chaotic tangle of enormous logs tumbling through rapid waters. These logs, marked with the names "Standard Oil," "Steel Trust," "Sugar Trust," and others, symbolize the powerful monopolistic corporations of the early 20th century.The central figure, a lumberjack, is depicted with high energy, swinging from a rope amidst the precarious logjam, which visually represents the entangled and potentially destructive nature of unchecked corporate power. His determined expression and dynamic pose suggest both the human struggle against and within these overwhelming forces.Keppler, known for his political cartoons, uses this artwork to comment on economic issues of his time, particularly the monopolies that dominated industries and influenced American politics and economics. The chaotic intertwining of the logs in turbulent waters vividly conveys the complexity and peril of these monopolistic entities. This artwork not only captures a snapshot of historical economic conditions but also serves as a powerful metaphor that resonates with current themes of corporate influence and control.Displayed in our collection, "The Jam of the Johnson Boom" remains a compelling examination of the tensions between individual endeavor and industrial dominion.