Say, honest, is he really gone 1910

Louis Glackens created this artwork in the United States, likely in the early 20th century. The cartoon, teeming with anthropomorphic animals, invites us to consider the politics of imagery and social conditions of its time. Glackens uses visual codes to create meaning. The animals, each with distinct human-like characteristics, are gathered as if in the aftermath of a significant event. A blindfolded lion, an injured rabbit, and the question "Say, honest, is he really gone?" all suggest a fallen leader or a change in power. This imagery likely references the political landscape of the United States during the Progressive Era, a time of social and political reform. To fully understand this work, we might turn to sources documenting the political cartoons and social commentary prevalent in early 20th-century America, revealing how artists used satire to critique the status quo and challenge existing social norms. The meaning of art, as we see here, is always contingent on its social and institutional context.