What show have you got, little man (1908)

Udo Keppler, an artist renowned for his poignant and satirical cartoons, presents a striking commentary on economic disparities and financial manipulation in his 1908 work titled “What show have you got, little man”. This vivid and colorful illustration encapsulates themes of wealth, power, and exploitation set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America.The painting prominently features a jovial and towering figure, dressed in an elegant suit with a label reading “Stock Manipulation” on his vest. His face is marked by a deviant smile, suggesting the pleasure he derives from his financial schemes. He stands over a roulette wheel labeled "Wall Street", metaphorically spinning the fortunes of the unseen masses. Held in his hands and piled high around him are chips, labeled as various financial instruments such as “Treasury Deposits”, “Fiduciary Funds”, “Bank Loans”, and “Other People's Money”, the last of which is particularly telling of the exploitation of the average person.In stark contrast, in the foreground of the painting, a small man approaches the gambling table, holding a modest handful of chips marked “Wall St.” Compared to the towering figure, he appears meek and tentative, symbolizing the common man venturing timidly into the world of finance, dominated by giants of manipulation and control.Keppler’s work is a powerful critique of the unchecked power and greed in financial sectors, highlighting the stark inequalities and the risks borne by the smaller investors. Through his brilliant use of caricature and allegory, he not only critiques the immediate world of Wall Street but also invites viewers to reflect on broader themes of power, control, and economic justice in capitalist societies.