Magnified security (1908)
Technique: Giclée quality print
Recommended by our customers
More about this artwork
"Magnified Security" (1908) by Udo Keppler is a thought-provoking and satirical painting that offers a vivid portrayal of the United States' naval prowess as perceived through the lens of national vanity. The artwork depicts an elderly, yet robust figure resembling Uncle Sam, who is observing a mighty American battleship through a magnifying glass labeled "National Vanity." The magnification exaggerates the size and significance of the warship, suggesting a critique of the U.S.'s expanding militarism and self-image as an emerging world power.The figure prominently wears a jacket adorned with the "Monroe Doctrine" sash, emphasizing the U.S. foreign policy that opposed European colonization in the Americas, which by the early 20th century had evolved into a justification for U.S. intervention in Western Hemisphere affairs. Below the magnifying glass, the real scale of another battleship can be seen on the coastline, smaller and less prominent, contrasting the amplified image within the glass.Keppler’s use of vibrant colors and detailed illustration not only catches the eye but also subtly comments on the themes of perception, power, and pride within the American psyche at the turn of the 20th century.
Delivery
Returns
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.