Letting The Cat Out of The Bag

Art Historical Context

Created in 1860 by German-born artist Louis Maurer, "Letting The Cat Out of The Bag" is a lively political print that captures the turbulent presidential election year. As a print, the work could reach wide audiences through newspapers and shops, making complex political debates accessible to everyday viewers. Maurer’s detailed rendering brings together prominent figures including Abraham Lincoln, William Henry Seward, Horace Greeley, and Charles Sumner, each identified by profession and region. The composition uses the familiar idiom of the title to suggest a secret being revealed, with the cat serving as a playful yet pointed symbol amid the men’s top hats and newspapers. Tags hint at themes of abolitionism, statesmanship, and journalism swirling around these leaders on the eve of the Civil War. Displayed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection, the print offers modern visitors a vivid window into how visual satire shaped public conversation during a pivotal moment in American history.