Now Begins the Rub, from "The Daily Graphic"

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

Publisher The Daily Graphic: An Illustrated Evening Newspaper (American, 1873 - 1889)

Datepublished August 27, 1883

MediumWood engraving on newsprint

DimensionsComposition: 14 × 12 1/2 in. (35.6 × 31.8 cm) Sheet: 21 1/8 × 14 in. (53.7 × 35.6 cm)

Credit LineGift of the artist's son

Object number1944.1.15

Not on view

DescriptionThis satiric illustration after a drawing by Thomas Nast published on the front page of The Daily Graphic journal depicts Republican Benjamin Harrison (at the time, a Senator from New York) in a bathtub. Five years later, he would serve as President of the United States (1889-1893) with Levi P. Morton as his running mate, who is referenced in the name of the soap Harrison is holding and whose shadow falls across him. At the time this cartoon was published, Morton was serving as the United States Minister to France. While Harrison was Senator, one of the main issues he dealt with revolved around the budget surplus, given that the country was in an economic depression during the years 1882-85. Democrats wanted to reduce tariffs and government income while Republicans wanted to spend tariffs on infrastructure and veteran’s pensions. Signs plaster the brick wall behind Harrison, including "88 In the Shade," "Soap! Soap! Our Only Hope," "He won't be happy till he gets in!," "He has it and he is not happy," and "'Trusts are English you know' they are all right - J.G. Blaine." J.G. Blaine is a reference to James Gillespie Blaine, who was a Republican Senator from 1876-1881, and Secretary of State of a brief period in 1881, but was positionless after President Garfield was shot in September of the same year. An inset box contains a quote by John J. Ingalls to the Repbulican Convention in Chicago: "It does not make much difference who is nominated, in my judgement. The candidates will cut a small figure in the fight...With some fellow like Phelps of New Jersey, who could reach the conservative forces of the East and get contributions from manufacturers and Wall Street."

Collections

American Art

Additional Details

Provenance 1943: Hamilton College, by gift of Mabel Nast Crawford and Cyril Nast;
? - 1943: Thomas Nast family (Mrs. Thomas Nast, Thomas Nast Jr., Mabel Nast Crawford, and Cyril Nast), presumably by gift or inheritance from the artist.

Markings None noted.

Signature Not signed.

Inscribed Inscribed in typeset at upper center: THE DAILY GRAPHIC / AN ILLUSTRATED EVENING NEWSPAPER / 39 & 41 PARK PLACE.; entitled in typeset at lower center: NOW BEGINS THE RUB. / NO TRUST IN SOAP TO WASH OUT SO DARK A SHADOW. / [FROM A DESIGN BY THOMAS NAST.] {sic}; news text continues on verso