Jun 14, 2012 - Sep 30, 2012 | Washington, DC
The German-American Heritage Foundation of the USA presents a new exhibit that compares the illustrations of two German-American caricaturists: Thomas Nast and the lesser known Adalbert Volck.
Thomas Nast (1840-1902) is considered the father of the American political cartoon. He was born in Landau, Germany. The family moved to New York when Nast was still a child.
From age 15 on, he started working for different magazines. Thomas Nast was the premier illustrator and caricaturist for Harper's Weekly and his efforts were critical in gaining support for the Union cause and the policies of President Lincoln.
Among his creations were the political symbols of the two major parties in the United States, the Republican elephant and the Democratic donkey as well as the modern version of Santa Claus, and Uncle Sam.
Adalbert Volck (1828-1912) was born in Augsburg, Germany. After the 1848 German Revolution, he decided to leave the country.
Volck lived in St. Louis for a while before settling in Baltimore. He practiced as a dentist before working as an illustrator during the Civil War.
Adalbert Volck was an advocate for the South and the way it perceived the actions of the North.
As background, the role of German-Americans in the Civil War in general is described, as well as the role of the new media, which became critical to America's understanding of the conflict -- the weekly-illustrated newspaper. By comparing and contrasting these two artists, the exhibits strives to contribute to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the polarizing controversies that led to the deadliest conflict in the history of the United States.
With the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.
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