Colored Rule in a Reconstructed (?) State, from "Harper's Weekly"

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Artist/Maker Thomas Nast (American, born Germany, 1840 - 1902)

Datepublished March 14, 1874

MediumWood engraving on newsprint

DimensionsComposition: 10 1/2 × 8 7/8 in. (26.7 × 22.5 cm) Sheet: 15 1/2 × 10 7/8 in. (39.4 × 27.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of Professor Emeritus Jay Williams, Class of 1954

Object number2019.13.234

Not on view

DescriptionCaptioned "(The members call each other thieves, liars, rascals, and cowards) / Columbia 'You are [imitating] the lowest Whites. If you disgrace your Race in this way you had better take back seats" typeset beneath title in black ink. “This print may be Nast’s only cartoon that has something negative to say about the freed blacks. While three black state representatives aggressively argue, Columbia pleads, “Let us have peace.” This cartoon is a reference to the few black politicians who won seats in state Senates, but as a product of their bickering did little to help the population they represented. Though Nast constantly defended the African-American community, in this cartoon he chose to depict the representatives in the same pejorative, mocking style that his racist contemporaries used to ridicule blacks. This was particularly effective because many white Americans did not think that newly freed slaves were capable of serving in the government. By using the typical racist style, Nast encouraged the African-American members of the government to rise above insignificant conflicts and prove that they were full members of American society.” (SOURCE: Susanna White, "Emancipation and Denigration: Thomas Nast Pictures Black America", 2008)

Collections

American Art

Additional Details

Exhibition History 2008
Clinton, NY (Emerson Gallery, Hamilton College). "Emancipation and Denigration: Thomas Nast Pictures Black America," January 14, 2008 - April 13, 2008

Provenance 2019: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art), by gift of Jay G. Williams.

Published References Susanna White, EMANCIPATION AND DENIGRATION: THOMAS NAST PICTURES BLACK AMERICA, exh. cat. (Clinton, NY: Emerson Gallery, 2008)

Signature Signed "Th Nast" in block at lower left composition.

Inscribed Title typeset beneath image in black ink. Publisher banner headline typeset above image in black ink: "Harper's Weekly / Journal of Civilization / Vol. XVIII.-No. 898: New York, Saturday, March 14, 1874." Illegible pencil inscription above banner headline.