Many Americans start their day off perusing the comic section of their local newspaper searching for humor in what is sometimes a no-nonsense existence. They also look to the editorial page to glance at the political cartoons which can have a big impact on their world view. Images, rendered skillfully can give us a snapshot about current topics and influence our way of thinking, both culturally and politically. Cartoons help make confusing and difficult topics relatable. Thomas Nast, the "father of American cartoon art" made a tremendous impact in this arena and his influence can be seen throughout our modern society.
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| Thomas Nast depicting himself. |
A political cartoonist must above all be skilled at his art if his message is to be well-received. If this same artist is going to have a larger impact than the immediate, he must also be an expert on politics. A 1908 article by the New York Times described Nast's skill as the following, "...this man was not alone an artist, else his work would never have been done. He was a politician - a little one in the beginning, great one in the end." It was this duality that qualified Nast to bring down the infamous and notoriously corrupt "Boss" Tweed, leader of the New York political machine in the 1870s. His brilliant advocacy of the Republican Party during the post-war period helped the party maintain its political power throughout the era. American art historian Albert Boime declared, "As a political cartoonist, Thomas Nast wielded more influence than any other artist of the 19th century. He not only enthralled a vast audience with boldness and wit, but swayed it time and again to his personal position on the strength of his visual imagination. Both Lincoln and Grant acknowledged his effectiveness in their behalf, and as a crusading civil reformer he helped destroy the corrupt Tweed Ring that swindled New York City of millions of dollars. Indeed, his impact on American public life was formidable enough to profoundly affect the outcome of every presidential election during the period 1864 to 1884."
Nast was a German born immigrant who began working as an illustrator at fifteen years old and had published his first significant newspaper art at the age of 18 (1854 - for Harper's Weekly). He worked for a number of newspapers during the 1860s before settling in at Harper's Weekly in 1862. Nast spent twenty-four years at the popular publication before leaving in 1886. During his tenure at Harper's, Nast was prolific in his work. His art supported Lincoln's efforts to raise troops, opposed President Johnson's reconstruction policies, helped get Lincoln (1864) and Grant (1868 and 1872) elected, and fought corruption in New York City. While Nast did not invent the political cartoon, he modernized it and his style and writing informed those who followed him.
Perhaps Nast's most famous contribution to the medium was his depiction of the elephant as the symbol for the Republican Party. He later branded the symbol with G.O.P. - launching the term "Grand Old Party." Nast's satirical style and application of the elephant found a multitude of Republican supporters throughout the period, much to the ire of their Democratic opponents
Nast also proved to be a man of his times and one of the enduring criticisms of him has been his bigotry and perpetuation of stereotypes. The artist consistently depicted Irish immigrants as violent drunks (a stereotype which had a lasting impact) and despite of having been a champion of abolition and opponent of segregation began to draw racist depictions of African Americans during the latter stages of his career. Unfortunately for Nast, later critics have emphasized these depictions, often at the expense of his other work.
The the most enduring illustration produced by Nast during his long and successful career was that of Santa Claus, which is still believed to be the basis of today's depiction of Old St. Nick. Nast left an amazing body of work and an enduring legacy for generations of American political cartoonists.
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