Thursday, February 15, 2024

Thomas Nast, master of political satire

Thomas Nast is perhaps 19th Century best political cartoonist. He came up with the idea of using animals to represent political parties. In his cartoons, the Democratic Party was a donkey and the Republican Party an elephant. Nast also helped to develop the character, Uncle Sam, to represent the United States. 

The Off Year, Harper's Weekly, (1877) Wood engraving


The American River Ganges. Harper’s Weekly (1871). Wood engraving.

After the ratification of the 14th Amendment, 1869.

(here is a short video about Thomas Nast)