The House that Jeff Built 1863

"The House that Jeff Built," an 1863 lithograph by David Claypoole Johnston, uses humorous illustrations and accompanying verses to satirize the institution of slavery in the American South. Johnston, a prominent American illustrator and cartoonist, was known for his satirical work. This print, through its depictions of various aspects of slavery, including the buying and selling of enslaved people, their forced labor, and the brutality they endured, presents a poignant critique of the institution. Johnston’s "The House that Jeff Built" is a powerful example of art used as a tool for social commentary, highlighting the injustices of slavery and calling for its abolition.