“The Great Race for the Western Stakes” is a caricature by Currier and Ives, created in 1870. It is representative of the Romanticism art movement. The artwork vividly portrays a competitive race between three railroad companies through anthropomorphized locomotives labeled “Hudson River R.R.,” “N.Y. Central,” and “Erie R.R.”
In the artwork, each locomotive appears personified with human-like features and expressions, emphasizing the rivalry among the railroad companies. The locomotive labeled “Hudson River R.R.” is driven by a figure who appears to be guiding it with great effort. The “N.Y. Central” locomotive likewise has a figure atop it, seemingly engaged in an intense competition. Meanwhile, the “Erie R.R.” locomotive carries an individual who appears to be looking concerned, likely due to the competitive intensity depicted. The artwork humorously exaggerates these features to create a satirical narrative on the fierce competition within the railroad industry during that era.
