Henry Bergh 

This caricature of Henry Bergh was made by Cassius Marcellus Coolidge, most likely in the late 19th century. The work reflects a transformation in the public role of art, as caricature became a popular form of social commentary. Here, Bergh is shown riding a toy horse, emblazoned with the words, “This is a horse.” The title of the print, “Every Man Rides His Own Hobby,” suggests a gentle ribbing of Bergh’s well-known passion for animal rights. Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866, a relatively progressive stance at a time when the legal rights of animals were virtually nonexistent. Historical research can help us better understand the social attitudes towards both caricature and animal rights in the late 19th century. Coolidge’s work serves as a reminder that art is always made within a specific social and institutional context.