B. F. Butler Riding a "presidential Ram" 

Editor: This is "B. F. Butler Riding a 'presidential Ram'" by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge. It's a mixed-media print, appearing almost like a watercolor. I’m struck by the biting satire—the artist clearly has a point of view. What social commentary do you find embedded in this image? Curator: This caricature serves as a window into the contentious political landscape of its time. Let's consider who B. F. Butler was. He was a controversial figure, a Union General and politician. How does Coolidge use imagery to shape our understanding of Butler's power, and perhaps, its perceived illegitimacy? Notice the hat. Editor: Yes! The words "B. F. Butler" are written on his hat and what looks like a five-dollar bill is pinned to it. I guess that suggests he can be bought. Also, he is sitting on a 'presidential ram' instead of a horse; I suppose that this piece is criticizing his presidential ambitions. Curator: Precisely! Coolidge cleverly uses the symbolism of the "Presidential Ram" to mock Butler's aspirations and connect him to the Democratic party's symbol, subtly questioning his values through animalistic imagery. And it's an advertisement for a shoe store? Editor: Ah, I see! So the advertisement cleverly intertwines political commentary with commercial interests, speaking volumes about the socio-economic forces at play. I had not noticed it. It is about the “hobbies” that men ride. Curator: Exactly. Consider how class and capitalism may be intersecting with Butler’s individual ambitions in Coolidge’s piece. Advertising normalizes political commentary; political commentary helps to sell shoes. That is the intersection of socio-economic forces in American Democracy. Editor: That's a powerful connection. I learned to look at how this seemingly simple caricature reflects a complex web of political maneuvering and commercial interests in a specific historical context. Thanks!