Time nearly up (1897)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Time Nearly Up" (1897) by Udo Keppler is a vivid and thought-provoking political cartoon, rich with historical references and symbolism. This artwork depicts an old man, who appears to be a representation of Uncle Sam, the personification of the United States. His outfit, a blend of traditional and tired attire—with a blue jacket and vertically striped pants alternating between pink and white—creates an interesting contrast against the somber background depicting the aftermath of an explosion.The old man is staring pensively at a pocket watch, suggesting that he is considering the dwindling time or perhaps mulling over critical decisions. The setting sun contributes to the sense of an ending or a significant change approaching. In the background, the stark silhouette of Cuba burns and sends dark smoke into the sky, while a capsized ship labeled "U.S.S. Maine" lies half-submerged in the foreground, a reference to the real historical event that propelled the U.S. into the Spanish-American War.Through Keppler’s artwork, the viewer is invited to ponder the broader implications of U.S. foreign policies of the era, and the depiction of Uncle Sam in a reflective pose suggests a moment of national introspection.
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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.