LINES with POWER & PURPOSE: an Editorial Cartoon Collection at the University of Central Oklahoma

Abstract

This exhibition features over fifty original editorial cartoons from the nation's great metropolitan newspapers during the Golden Age of print journalism. In the mix are artistic novices all the way to seven Pulitzer Prizewinning cartoonists who have earned a total of twelve of these prestigious awards. Spanning the dawn of the 20th century through the early postwar period, these drawings represent noble attempts to interpret a world torn apart by war and economic disruption. They chronicle the challenges of everyday life in the context of enormous change. On a daily basis, these editorial cartoonists delivered biting social commentary made more palatable through amusing illustration. Deceptively simple drawings framed the public's understanding of world events and trends. Along the way, these cartoons provided welcome comic relief.