The sacrilegious candidate
1896
Grant Hamilton’s biting 1896 political cartoon depicts William Jennings Bryan as a distorted, aggressive Christ figure trampling on an open Bible. He carries a massive wooden cross tagged 'Cross of Gold'—a direct reference to his famous speech advocating for free silver—and holds up a crown of thorns, both labeled as props from his campaign speeches. In the background, a chaotic scene of ruined buildings and a figure waving an 'Anarchy' flag suggests that Bryan's populist rhetoric would lead the country to destruction. It’s a fierce piece of political propaganda that accuses the candidate of using religion for political gain.
- Technique
- Color lithograph
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