Pat Oliphant, a renowned figure in political cartooning, passed away on Monday in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 90. His son, Grant Oliphant, confirmed that he died at home due to age-related health issues.

Oliphant, an Australian native, moved to the United States as a young man. He quickly gained recognition, winning a Pulitzer Prize early in his career. Despite winning it, he dismissed its importance. Syndicated in as many as 500 newspapers globally, he became one of the most famous political cartoonists.

Throughout his career, Oliphant used his talent to critique political figures and institutions with a sharp wit. His style was often compared to Honoré Daumier, the 19th-century French caricaturist. It attracted both admiration and criticism. Religious and civil rights groups sometimes accused him of crossing the lines of good taste with his work.

Before Oliphant, many cartoonists relied on labels and a tone of moral outrage. In contrast, Oliphant wielded ridicule effectively. His illustrations included FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover in fishnet stockings and Vice President Dan Quayle in a baby carriage. During times of military buildup, he depicted generals indulging at a public trough. During the Vietnam War, his Statue of Liberty ignored a crowd with Asian faces, commenting ironically on American immigration policies.