The Second Term Road Blocked, from Judge 1884

Editor: This is Grant Hamilton’s lithograph print, "The Second Term Road Blocked," created for Judge magazine in 1884. There’s a fascinating, almost comical frustration in the donkey stubbornly refusing to move. What's your take on the political undertones here? Curator: Ah, yes, political cartoons! Think of them as the tweets of the 19th century. The Democrats are represented here by the donkey—a long-standing symbol for the party—stubbornly halting progress. And "progress" is key here, right? Reform, as you can see noted near the White House in the distance, was on many people's minds. It is as if Hamilton were speaking directly to Grover Cleveland. What message is conveyed, do you think, with that fallen bag labelled “Old Traditions?" Editor: That those traditions, even though old, were important enough to fill the bag, implying a substantial weight, but ultimately, these are now overturned? Curator: Precisely! Look closely – the scale isn't quite "realistic," is it? I feel as if Grant, maybe unintentionally, acknowledges those past powers could try again to become future powers. And how interesting that it would all take place on such an oddly-shaped road; a rather peculiar compositional decision. How do you read this? Editor: I see the rocks looming in the foreground and on the other side, they become smaller until we see The White House in the distance: maybe progress always faces huge problems and only at the end are those gone, with only the ultimate reward awaiting? Curator: That's a delightful interpretation, isn't it? I almost wonder if, as the illustrator, he did think of the composition like this; to put The White House in the background gives it that feeling of greatness. Editor: Absolutely. These visual narratives pack a punch! So much symbolism! Curator: Exactly! You’ve gotten to the root of what makes these works sing, I think. Always go with your first reaction.