On! On! to Washington, from Chic n.d.

This chromolithograph, "On! On! to Washington," was created by Charles Kendrick in Chicago. Observe the central figure, a man in Roman attire riding a weary horse, labeled "Democracy." This is a potent symbol, evoking the glory and power of ancient Rome but twisted to satirize contemporary political struggles. The Roman equestrian figure is a motif that spans millennia, from the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius to Renaissance depictions of triumphant leaders. Here, however, the figure is not regal but strained, the horse burdened with "fraud" and "claims." This parodies the idea of heroic leadership. The crowd bears banners proclaiming "No more counting out Hancock and Freedom," reflecting anxieties about electoral integrity. The image reminds me of a tragic cycle, where symbols of power and authority become entangled with themes of corruption and decay. This blending of past grandeur with present disillusionment is a recurring symptom in our cultural memory. The emotional tension in the image, from the strained expressions of the crowd to the collapsing figure, engages viewers at a deeply subconscious level, tapping into collective fears and disillusionment with authority. The symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different political arenas.