Political Cartoons of the Gilded Age The “Ungentlemanly Art” of Graphic Satire

Political Cartoon : A drawing (often including caricature) made for the purpose of conveying editorial commentary on politics, politicians, and current events. ● Contributor:Thomas KnieperThomas Knieper ● Article Title:Political cartoon ● Website Name:Encyclopædia Britannica ● Publisher:Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. ● Date Published:February 20, 2018 ● URL:

R.K. Laxman : “ I think everyone enjoys it when our mighty politicians are exposed in a comical and often ludacris light.” (Creator of “The Common Man” Editorial Cartoon Series)

The Gilded Age Mark Twain called the late nineteenth century the "Gilded Age." By this, he meant that the period was glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath.

Shiny On the Outside, but Dirty On the Inside The Gilded Age was a time of immense development in the U.S. The economy grew dramatically due to industrialization. Increasing immigration had America rushing into urbanization. In all this change there was also an enormous amount of greed and corruption. This was fertile ground for artists to express themselves. Artists had always found ways to subtly or not so subtly make their political opinions known, but the emergence of a new kind of illustration,the caricature, created a new field of artistic political work.

Thomas Nast “ The Father of American Political Cartoons” Self-Portrait of Thomas Nash -Popular Gilded Age Graphic Artist

“That’s What’s the Matter.” Thomas Nast’s famous ‘Boss’ Tweed

“What’s In a Name?” Harper’s Weekly, 1886 Thomas Nast

“The Real Trouble Will Come With the ‘Wake’” Boxer Rebellion cartoon Puck magazine, 1900 Joseph Keppler