The artwork titled “William Henry Vanderbilt” by artist Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, belongs to both the Kitsch art movement and the genre of caricature. It is part of the series “Every Man Rides His Own Hobby” and depicts an exaggerated portrayal of an individual.
The artwork features a man with distinct facial features, characterized by a prominent head and elaborate sideburns, suggestive of a typical caricature style. He is dressed in formal attire, complete with a top hat labeled with “Will Vanderbilt”. The individual appears to be energetically striding forward, tugging along a miniature train labeled “N.Y.C” with several cars trailing behind. A small handbag is also seen flying through the air, tethered to his waist. The piece captures a whimsical and exaggerated representation of the subject, in line with the kitschy style it embodies.
