Political cartoons by Thomas Nast on display at Ohio State

Thomas Nast, known as the father of American political cartooning, brought us images of Boss Tweed, the Civil War, and one of the first images of Santa Claus for Harper’s Weekly and other publications. The gripping images of Nast’s political cartoons, created more than 100 years ago to battle corrupt politicans, remain relevant. His image of Santa, created in 1862, has evolved into the figure now commercialized during the holiday season.

The Ohio State University Library of Cartoon Art has opened the doors to a new exhibit
titled “Thomas Nast: Prince of Caricaturists” that includes some of Nast’s most famous and influential work. The exhibit, which marks the centennial of Nast’s death, is on display in the reading room of the library through Jan. 24. The library is located at 27 W. 17th Avenue Mall, accessible from a doorway north of Mershon Auditorium and the Wexner Center.

The centennial offers media a wonderful opportunity for a story on Nast’s work, especially his images of Santa Claus and political corruption.

The library will mark the centennial of Nast’s Dec. 7, 1902, death with a symposium by two leading scholars of his work. Nast’s contributions to the history and culture of his adopted country were many, yet he died in near obscurity. Two leading Nast scholars, Morton Keller and Draper Hill, will speak at the symposium at the Ohio State Faculty Club on Saturday, December 7, 2002. The symposium is free and open to the public, but preregistration is required. To preregister, see the Web site or call the library at (614) 292-0538.

The exhibit also includes a web site, http://www.lib.ohio-state.edu/cgaweb/nast/index.htm with images, as well as tools for educators.

WHAT:A new display of political cartoons and images by Thomas Nast and a special symposium about his contributions to American culture.

WHEN: The exhibit runs through Jan. 24. The symposium on Nast is Dec. 7.

WHERE: Nast’s cartoons are on display in the reading room of the Library of Cartoon Art, 27 W.17th Avenue Mall. The symposium is at the Faculty Club, 181 S. Oval Drive.

WHY: The exhibit celebrates the influential and important work of Thomas Nast.