Merry Christmas, Bill! (1912)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Merry Christmas, Bill!" is a captivating 1912 painting by artist Udo Keppler that offers a satirical portrayal of a holiday scene filled with political undertones. In the artwork, a man, presumably named Bill, who appears to be a politician or notable figure, sits comfortably at a dinner table, enjoying a sumptuous spread of festive foods. Across from him, humorously, a distressed donkey - often a symbol for the Democratic Party in American politics - crashes through the door, its entrance strewn with ripped pieces of paper labeled 'TARIFF'.The donkey's panicked interruption starkly contrasts with the man's calm demeanor, implying a commentary on political responses to economic issues of the time, most notably tariffs. The intricate details in the room, from the ornate fireplace to the elegantly draped curtains and the candle-lit ambiance, enrich the scene's contrast between calm indulgence and chaotic intrusion.
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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.