“The Accommodating Money Lender,” created by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge in 1886, is an illustration belonging to the Kitsch art movement. The artwork satirically depicts various incidents involving Mr. Welldodo, who is frequently approached by individuals seeking loans, each of whom subsequently disappears without repaying him. The depiction is split into four distinct scenes, each describing a different encounter Mr. Welldodo has with a borrower.
In the first scene, Mr. Welldodo, now residing in the city, is visited by young Mr. Snoozer, who attempts to find fortune but instead ends up borrowing money from Mr. Welldodo and subsequently disappearing. The second scene shows Reverend Augustus Sable needing a temporary loan of twenty-five dollars, promising to return it within a week, but also never repaying it. The third scene portrays Mr. J. Fitzsapple Spriggs, a millionaire’s son, requesting a loan under the pretense of needing help until he hears from home, which also leads to Mr. Welldodo’s money not being returned. Finally, the fourth scene illustrates a former dear friend, Mr. Van Nameless, who requests a small loan but leaves no trace behind other than a greasy spot after his visit. The series humorously underscores the perils of being an accommodating money lender through its illustration and narrative.
