The Political "Siamese" Twins, the offspring of Chicago miscegenation

Art Historical Context

This 1864 lithograph by Currier & Ives captures the heated political satire of the Civil War era through its vivid depiction of Democratic presidential candidate George B. McClellan and his running mate George Hunt Pendleton as conjoined “Siamese twins.” Produced as a popular print, the work lampoons the unlikely alliance formed at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where anti-war Copperheads like Clement Laird Vallandigham joined forces with more moderate figures such as Horatio Seymour. The provocative title references this “miscegenation,” using the metaphor of unnatural union to criticize the party’s internal divisions. Currier & Ives specialized in affordable lithographs that brought political commentary into American homes, and this piece exemplifies their sharp, accessible style. The image reflects the intense partisanship of the 1864 election, when the Democrats positioned themselves against Abraham Lincoln’s leadership amid ongoing national conflict. Its bold imagery and pointed symbolism highlight how visual satire shaped public discourse during one of the nation’s most divisive periods. Today, the print resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection of drawings and prints, offering visitors a window into 19th-century political culture and the power of caricature to influence opinion.