Posted on; Riehl World View
I came across something worthwhile at Sweetness and Light tonight regarding Thomas Nast. Nast, credited with providing us with the traditional American image of Santa Clause, was clearly a dedicated Republican.
He also created our two most recognizable political images - the Republican Elephant, and the Democratic Donkey.
However, I bring it up not in the sense of politics, but more so in the sense of the Iraq War. One of Nast's more well-known works, pictured lower right, was called Compromise With The South - larger version here.
Thomas Nast was a Radical Republican, a liberal, progressive, nationalistic, and Protestant wing of the party. Nast was a fierce supporter for the Union cause who skillfully used allegory and melodrama in his art to support the cause he believed was just. "Compromise with the South," published in Harper's Weekly on September 3, 1864, shows Columbia weeping at the grave of "Union Heroes in a Useless War" as a weary Union amputee shakes the hand of a neatly groomed Southern soldier. The image is said to have brought Nast "instant fame" and was reprinted widely by the Republicans in their effort to have Lincoln re-elected.
However, I bring it up not in the sense of politics, but more so in the sense of the Iraq War. One of Nast's more well-known works, pictured lower right, was called Compromise With The South - larger version here.
Thomas Nast was a Radical Republican, a liberal, progressive, nationalistic, and Protestant wing of the party. Nast was a fierce supporter for the Union cause who skillfully used allegory and melodrama in his art to support the cause he believed was just. "Compromise with the South," published in Harper's Weekly on September 3, 1864, shows Columbia weeping at the grave of "Union Heroes in a Useless War" as a weary Union amputee shakes the hand of a neatly groomed Southern soldier. The image is said to have brought Nast "instant fame" and was reprinted widely by the Republicans in their effort to have Lincoln re-elected.
Fascinating how history repeats itself and how our just and justifiable efforts in Iraq today could use their own Thomas Nast. Yet, in another sense he's been replaced by an army of bloggers, so one can't really argue time stands still.Well, maybe it does here just a bit. Click the link to take a look at a wonderful collection of Nast's Christmas images - enjoy.
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