Mother’s Day by Cartoonist Clifford Berryman, 1924

Berryman Political Cartoon Collection, National Archives. Click to enlarge

This family portrait was unusual territory for political cartoonist Clifford Berryman, known best for his political satires of powerful men in the Washington Evening Star.  There’s satire here as well. The mother has an odd expression on her face and we cannot see her eyes.  Is she happy about the one day a year she receives her family’s thanks, or rueful because the homage is so fleeting?

Neither of the women is stylishly dressed.  The daughter wears her hair in a big pile on her head, without even an attempt to mimic shorter, sleeker hairdos. The mother’s suit is too wide and long for 1924, but I do appreciate her strappy shoes.

To tell the truth, my favorite character is the pup on the left with his absolutely perfect downward dog.

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One Response to Mother’s Day by Cartoonist Clifford Berryman, 1924

  1. great cartoon – its says so much!

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