Nast, Thomas: Politics as usual
This is probably my favorite political image: Harper’s Weekly cartoonist Thomas Nast’s take on New York’s William “Boss” Tweed – with money head. Tweed was played by Jim Broadbent in the movie.
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) holds the title of ‘father of the American cartoon’ and along the way ended up turning both donkey and elephant into American political icons.
Prior to Nast’s involvement, ‘It all started with an insult. During Andrew Jackson’s 1828 presidential campaign, his political opponents labeled him a ‘jackass.’ Stubborn as he was, Jackson co-opted the insult and began putting a donkey on his election posters.’
In 1870, Nast used Jackson’s donkey to represent the whole Democratic Party in a political cartoon (above) – followed up in 1874 with an elephant for the Grand Old Party (below)
Nast also developed Uncle Sam and Santa Claus – as well as the prototype character used for the Statue of Liberty.
For more on Nast, go here.
The political animals have been fighting it out ever since.
Photo by and © John Lund
Sources: World’s Strangest, CBR and John Lund
My best friend is the great-granddaughter of Thomas Nast. I dated her brother, Thomas Nast St.Hill. Just a bit of trivia. I love his work.
Whoa. Cool!
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