Judge — May 20, 1882 — page 16: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This satirical illustration depicts wealthy figures literally chasing a giant U.S. dollar coin across a landscape. The image critiques American materialism and greed during the Gilded Age period—specifically the relentless pursuit of wealth by the affluent classes. The well-dressed gentlemen (appearing to represent businessmen or plutocrats) are shown in undignified poses, desperately scrambling after money. Their top hats and formal attire contrast comically with their frenzied behavior, suggesting that despite their social standing, they're enslaved to financial ambition. The title emphasizes the religious/moral dimension of the critique: the "Almighty Dollar" is personified as a false god these men worship. Judge magazine frequently satirized wealthy elites' obsession with accumulation at the expense of ethical behavior or social responsibility—a common Progressive Era theme.