A tried watch-dog who will be retained (1901)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Welcome to our curated exhibition of politically charged artwork, where we highlight "A Tried Watch-Dog Who Will Be Retained" by John Samuel Pughe, crafted in 1901. This satirical piece is a vivid example of the intersection between art and political commentary from the early 20th century.In this colorful lithograph, we encounter a rather unusual watchdog—a human-headed dog, embodying U.S. Pension Commissioner H. Clay Evans—fervently guarding the doors of the U.S. Treasury. The dog is marked by a collar that identifies it as 'Evans', underscoring its role as a fiercely loyal guardian against any potential malfeasance. Confronting this formidable watchdog is a diminutive pension agent, labeled by his hat and a satchel emblazoned with 'Fraudulent Claims.' He appears to be pleading or arguing with the steadfast canine, illustrating the ongoing conflicts and negotiations typical of governmental fiscal oversight.The backdrop of the U.S. Treasury building adds a sobering layer of government authority and responsibility to the image. Pughe employs humor and caricature to address themes of fiscal integrity and government accountability, inviting viewers to reflect on the bureaucratic challenges and ethical dilemmas of that era.
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John Samuel Pughe, was a Welsh-born American political cartoonist, best known for his illustrations for Puck magazine.
John Samuel Pughe was born in Dolgelley, Merionethshire, Wales, and brought to America by his parents when he was two years old. He studied art at Cooper Union.
J. S. Pughe illustrated news stories for the New York Recorder, Brooklyn Life, and the Brooklyn edition of the World as a young man. He began working at Puck magazine in 1894. He was a regular contributor there until his last cartoon for them, in December 1908.
Pughe died in 1909, age 38, at Lakehurst, New Jersey, where he had been spending several months to improve his health.