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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
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
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.
Thomas Nast
Date: published October 3, 1868
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.103
Thomas Nast
Date: published January 24, 1863
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.28
Thomas Nast
Date: published October 17, 1874
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.255
Jamea Richmond-Edwards
Date: 2018
Medium: Pigment print with silkscreen diamond dust and gold foil
Object number: 2020.1
Thomas Nast
Date: published November 20, 1869
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.111
Thomas Nast
Date: published November 11, 1871
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.153
Thomas Nast
Date: published August 5, 1865
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.71
Thomas Nast
Date: published August 27, 1883
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 1944.1.15
Thomas Nast
Date: published May 8, 1875
Medium: Wood engraving on newsprint
Object number: 2019.13.282