R.M. La Follette

Carlo de Fornaro's caricature of progressive politician Robert Marion La Follette Sr. depicts him in profile with exaggerated facial features and voluminous hair—standard practice in political cartoons of the era. The figure gestures authoritatively while the caption attributes a Latin quote to Coriolanus, Shakespeare's tragic hero who angered Rome's citizens. This visual comparison suggests criticism of La Follette's political style and popular appeal. The cartoon exemplifies early twentieth-century editorial cartooning, which employed physiognomy-based caricature to shape public opinion. De Fornaro, an Italian-American artist, contributed sharp political commentary to American newspapers during the Progressive Era, using exaggeration and classical allusion as weapons in cultural debate.