The "Open Door" Policy in China c. 1934

David Low's political cartoon, "The 'Open Door' Policy in China," probably made with ink, uses stark black lines to deliver a sharp, satirical message. It’s amazing how much storytelling can come from such minimal means. Look at the 'EXIT' sign looming over the departing figures. Low’s hand is confident, each line bold and unwavering. The texture is created by the density of the lines, chaotic in the smoke, and regimented in the wall. The Japanese soldier, with his aggressive stride, embodies the disruption of the policy. Notice how he uses the gun to push the figures through the door, the barrel almost breaking the fourth wall. This piece reminds me of Philip Guston's later cartoons, where the line becomes a tool for both humor and critique. Both suggest that sometimes the most direct route is the most powerful, and that art, like politics, is always a messy business.