The whited sepulchre (1872)

Thomas Nast prints gather the work of the man often called the "Father of the American Cartoon". For a quarter of a century Nast drew for Harper's Weekly, taking on Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, drawing the Civil War and shaping how Americans picture Santa Claus. Our collection of fine art prints includes his political cartoons, Civil War scenes and Christmas pictures, full of sharp wit and bold cross-hatched line.

About Thomas Nast

Thomas Nast was born in 1840 in military barracks in Landau, Bavaria, where his father played trombone in a regimental band. In 1846 his mother brought the children to New York City. Nast did poorly at school but loved to draw, and at 14 he studied with Alfred Fredericks and Theodore Kaufmann and then at the National Academy of Design.

He began as a draughtsman for Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, and his first drawings for Harper's Weekly appeared in 1859. After working in England and following Garibaldi's campaign in Italy, he joined Harper's Weekly as a staff artist in 1862 and stayed until 1886. His Civil War drawings were so popular that President Lincoln called him "our best recruiting sergeant".

After the war he became the country's best-known political cartoonist, attacking corruption and above all "Boss" Tweed and the Tammany Hall machine. In 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Consul General in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where he died during a yellow fever outbreak that December.

Style and Subjects

Nast's early cartoons were busy, with many panels and side stories around a central scene. After 1870 he preferred simpler designs built around one strong image. From 1869 he drew straight onto the wood blocks in pencil, so the engravers followed his own line, which gave his mature work its bold cross-hatching, a change influenced by the English illustrator John Tenniel.

He used symbols that readers could recognise at a glance. He is credited with the first picture of the Republican Party as an elephant, drew the Tammany tiger, and popularised Uncle Sam, Columbia and the Democratic donkey. His Christmas pictures helped fix the modern image of a round, jolly Santa Claus.

Famous Works

• Merry Old Santa Claus. His famous picture of a plump, smiling Santa with toys, the image of Santa many Americans still carry in mind.
• The Tammany Tiger Loose: "What are you going to do about it?" (1871). The Tammany tiger mauls the Republic in a Roman arena while Boss Tweed looks on as emperor.
• Christmas, 1863 (1863). A Civil War Christmas picture of families separated by the war.
• The Union Christmas Dinner (1864). A wartime Christmas scene calling for reunion.
• Senator Tweed in a New Role (1870). One of his many cartoons aimed at Boss Tweed.
• Santa Claus's Mail (1871). Santa at work among piles of children's letters.
• Uncle Sam's Thanksgiving Dinner. Americans of many backgrounds share a Thanksgiving table.

Decorating with Nast Prints

Nast's black-and-white cartoons suit a study, home office or library, especially for anyone who loves American history or politics. Hang a row of Tammany and Tweed cartoons in thin black frames above a desk, or mix them with old maps and newspapers for a period look.

His Christmas pictures make lovely seasonal prints for a hallway, living room or child's room in December, and they look charming in red or gold frames. The Civil War scenes suit a quiet reading corner or a den.

FAQ

Who was Thomas Nast?

Thomas Nast (1840–1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist, often called the "Father of the American Cartoon". He drew for Harper's Weekly from 1862 to 1886.

Did Thomas Nast create Santa Claus?

He did not invent Santa, but his 1863 Harper's Weekly picture is generally seen as the first image of the modern Santa Claus, and his later Christmas drawings shaped how Americans picture him.

Did Nast create the Republican elephant?

He is credited with being the first to draw the Republican Party as an elephant. He did not create Uncle Sam or the Democratic donkey, but his cartoons made them popular.

Who was Boss Tweed?

William "Boss" Tweed led the Tammany Hall political machine in New York. Nast attacked him in cartoon after cartoon, including The Tammany Tiger Loose.

What makes Nast's style recognizable?

Bold cross-hatched line, strong central images after 1870, and easy-to-read symbols such as the Tammany tiger, the elephant and Uncle Sam.

Related Artists

• Sir John Tenniel: English illustrator whose line influenced Nast's mature style
• Udo Keppler: American political cartoonist of the next generation at Puck
• Louis Dalrymple: American cartoonist for Puck and Judge
• Bernhard Gillam: fellow American political cartoonist of the 1880s
• Honoré Daumier: French master of the political caricature