Political Cartoon of the American Civil War c. 1860s

Emanuel Leutze created this political cartoon of the American Civil War on a sheet of paper, using graphite or a similar drawing medium. The cartoon is structured as a series of panels, each representing a different year of the conflict, which invites us to read it sequentially. The composition uses allegorical figures such as Columbia, symbols of the Union, and defeated Confederates, to depict the shifting dynamics of the war. Look at the sharp, expressive lines that capture both the triumphant and defeated stances of the figures. The artist uses line and form to convey complex political narratives through simplified characters and familiar symbols. By framing the war through allegory, Leutze asks us to consider how symbols function within a specific historical and political context, creating meaning that both reflects and shapes public perception. The arrangement of panels also emphasizes the temporal progression of the war, encouraging viewers to reflect on its unfolding consequences and continued reverberations.