The Political Cartoons of J. S. Pughe (1870-1909)

5/17/2016

From anthropomorphism to zoomorphism. Political cartoonist John Samuel Pughe used anthropomorphic animals in his political cartoons, but he also frequently gave politicians, countries and Greek gods the characteristics of animals. Pughe is best known for the cartoons he produced for Puck, America's first successful magazine of political satire.

In this cartoon by Pughe, Theodore Roosevelt toasts wild animals joining in a Thanksgiving feast.

J. S. Pughe - Elephant playing solitaire

An elephant representing the G.O.P picks up a playing card with Theodore Roosevelt's face.

J S Pughe cartoon of Richard McCurdy as a rat.

Pughe depicts banker Richard McCurdy as a rat swimming away from a sinking ship named "Frenzied Insurance."

J. S. Pughe's cartoon of Neptune and the Spanish American War.

The god Neptune in fish form looks in dismay at the wrecks of the Spanish fleet during the Spanish-American War.

J. S. Pughe Free Trade Cartoon - John Bull as bulldog

Pughe depicts politician John Bull as a bulldog holding a bone called "Free Trade" over a river. The reflection of the bone is labeled "Protection."

J. S. Pughe - William Jennings Bryant as snake devouring Democratic donkey.

Pughe depicts William Jennings Bryan and the Populist Party as a snake devouring a donkey representing the Democratic Party.

J. S. Pughe - Hatching an Egg called China

Pughe depicts the rulers of Russia, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, and England as chickens trying to hatch an egg labeled "China."

You can see additional work by Pughe here.

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Cover credit Beatrix Potter.

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