The main obstruction at Panama (1905)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Udo Keppler's political cartoon "The Main Obstruction at Panama" offers a satirical glimpse into the challenges faced during the construction of the Panama Canal in the early 20th century. The painting depicts an oversized, jovial man, labelled as "Railroad Interests," who comfortably sits across the Isthmus of Panama, effectively blocking the canal's completion. Clad in a business suit and smoking a cigar, this caricatured figure embodies the corporate and financial impediments that historically complicated the canal’s construction.In stark contrast, a worker, portrayed in the lower right of the image, gazes upward with a look of exasperation. His presence highlights the physical labor and toil of countless individuals, overshadowed by the overarching might of economic and political agendas. The background subtly detailed with workers and excavation equipment further emphasizes the scale of the project and the enormity of the obstacles they faced.Keppler's work serves as a poignant reminder of the complex interplay between commerce and infrastructure, making a pointed commentary on the influence of powerful corporate interests on public works.
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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.