Ground Hog Day

Art Historical Context

Clifford Kennedy Berryman, a renowned American political cartoonist for *The Washington Star*, created *Ground Hog Day* in1940 as a sharp ink drawing that captures the whimsical tension of U.S. politics. Known for his witty caricatures that twice earned him the Pulitzer Prize, Berryman often used humor to comment on national events, blending exaggeration with keen observation in graphite and ink on paper—a medium ideal for the speed and detail of editorial illustration. Set against the folklore of Groundhog Day, the cartoon depicts prominent Democrats like Vice President John Nance Garner of Texas, Postmaster General James A. Farley of New York, Senator Burton K. Wheeler of Montana, and Paul V. McNutt of Indiana. Props such as a rope, umbrella, and hammer evoke rural antics, symbolizing party infighting as these figures—former allies or rivals to President Franklin D. Roosevelt—emerge warily amid FDR's unprecedented bid for a third term. The 1940 Democratic National Convention loomed large, with Garner, Farley, and Wheeler challenging the incumbent. This Smithsonian treasure highlights Berryman's mastery of caricature, using exaggerated features and symbolic objects to satirize power struggles. Donated to the National Portrait Gallery, it offers visitors a lively glimpse into pre-WWII electoral drama, reminding us how art distills complex history into memorable, lighthearted critique.