The Life and Art of Thomas Nast

Of the unelected political figures in American history, Thomas Nast ranks among the most consequential. An artist by trade and a cartoonist in his free time, Nast learned that caricatures had extreme power when effectively used to influence politics, leading him to develop such ubiquitous symbols as the Republican Party elephant and the personified Uncle Sam. Nast's unusual pairing of humor and political journalism became his signature offering. Despite not holding an office until late in his life, and having only his art studio, Nast affected the fortunes of his nation through his strong hold over public opinion, taking on "Boss" Tweed and Tammany Hall through his satirical illustrations. This work covers Nast's life, his art, and the historical context of the events discussed in his artwork. Nast was an unusual character during a tumultuous period of American history between the outbreak of the Civil War and the Gilded Age. This book describes his art, his political career, and his lasting legacy in the creation of American cultural symbols.