Heads of the Democracy
This biting political caricature responds to a presidential campaign held during the American Civil War. A "Copperhead" is surrounded by a "Blunderhead," a "Soreheard," a "Blockhead" and a "Wronghead," with broken shackles below. Behind the group "McClellan's Letter," "Chicago Platform," and "London Times" are depicted. The image criticizes a Northern political faction active 1861-64 known as the Copperheads, whose members favored the Union but opposed Lincoln and the Civil War. The print responds to McClellan's nomination as Democratic candidate for president, and attempts to reconcile his military service with the party's peace platform. Currier & Ives name does not appear on the print, but scholars of Civil War era satires linked it to the firm.
Artwork Details
- Title: Heads of the Democracy
- Publisher: Attributed to Currier & Ives (American, active New York, 1857–1907)
- Subject: General George B. McClellan (American, Phildadelphia, Pennsylvania 1826-1885 Orange, New Jersey)
- Date: 1864
- Medium: Lithograph
- Dimensions: sheet: 13 11/16 x 18 1/8 in. (34.8 x 46 cm)
- Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of Georgiana W. Sargent, in memory of John Osborne Sargent, 1924
- Object Number: 24.63.203
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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