Through peace to happiness (1899)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Through Peace to Happiness" is an intriguing and striking work by Udo Keppler, dating back to 1899. This vividly colorful painting serves as a political cartoon that captures and critiques the sentiments of its time around the concept of peace and its implications on international relations.In this artwork, a prominent figure symbolizing the United States is depicted as a stout, well-dressed man in a top hat, proudly waving the American flag. His jovial expression and welcoming gesture are directed towards a smaller figure, labeled as Aguinaldo, representing the Philippines, who appears significantly less pleased, hesitating with a downcast gaze and a somewhat resistant posture.The painting is dominated by a large egg labeled "PEACE," which is cracked open to reveal military ships and equipment—a pointed comment on the paradox of peace achieved through military force. Behind the American figure, several individuals labeled as Cuba, Porto Rico, and Hawaii are cheerfully emerging from the broken shell, suggesting the acquisition or 'liberation' of these territories.Udo Keppler’s work cleverly uses satire to question the true nature of peace when interfaced with imperial ambitions, highlighting the complexity of international politics at the turn of the 20th century.
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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.