Left again (1904)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Left Again," a vibrant and narrative-rich painting by Udo Keppler, captures a whimsical yet poignant moment from early 20th-century America. In this vividly colored illustration, we witness an elegantly dressed woman chasing a train labeled “Harriman Special.” Her expression, a mix of determination and frustration, along with her exaggerated postures, infuses humor into the scene. The flurry of steam and motion lines emphasize her dynamic movement, suggesting she has just missed the train.Keppler, known for his political cartoons, uses this scene to critique possibly the monopolistic practices of E.H. Harriman, a famous railroad magnate of that time. The woman, adorned in a lavish purple and black gown with a flamboyant hat, may symbolize the general public or smaller businesses doggedly attempting to catch up with the powerful elites represented by the special train, away and indifferent to her plight.Notably, two men peering out from the train seem amused by her struggle, adding a layer of social commentary about the elite’s disregard for the challenges faced by others. This artwork, while rooted in its historical context, utilizes humor and caricature to make a resonant statement about power dynamics and social justice, themes still relevant today.
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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.