The consoling truth (1873)

Dated 1873, "The consoling truth" is an artwork by Thomas Nast. Illustration, a short history: The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are often described as a golden age of book and magazine illustration. Printing methods such as woodcut, engraving, lithography, and photomechanical reproduction each shaped how illustrators worked. Context for 1873: In the 1890s, colour lithography and Art Nouveau made the illustrated poster a celebrated art form. Japanese prints reached Europe in large numbers and influenced many artists, while photography changed what painting needed to do. The catalogue places it in Illustration. The format is portrait.

"The consoling truth" is offered as a printable file (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI) rather than a shipped item. You receive the files by email after payment and handle printing yourself, which gives you full control over paper, size, and finish. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Illustrative graphics are valued for their decorative line work and narrative quality, which makes them a strong fit for gallery walls, kids rooms, studies, and more intimate interiors. Measuring the wall before choosing a size is the simplest way to avoid a print that feels too small or too large. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

American, 1840–1902

If you like the visual language of Thomas Nast, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.