Art Of Caricature

A caricature can refer to a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness. In literature, a caricature is a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others.

Caricatures can be insulting or complimentary and can serve a political purpose or be drawn solely for entertainment. Caricatures of politicians are commonly used in editorial cartoons, while caricatures of movie stars are often found in entertainment magazines. The following inspire not only the artist, but gives something to engage in thought.

Max Beerbohm as depicted by Walter Sickert for Vanity Fair in 1897

Max Beerbohm, self-caricature (1897)

Cover and slipcase ofThe Works of Max Beerbohm (1896)

Club Types published in Strand Magazine Volume 4, 1892

Caricature of Oscar Wilde by Beerbohm (1916) from Rossetti and His Circle

'Dante Gabriel Rossetti in His Back-Garden' from The Poets' Corner (1904)

Two of Beerbohm's self-portraits. "The Theft" depicts him stealing a book from the library in 1894. 
"The Restitution" shows him returning that book in 1920.

Caricature of Aubrey Beardsley by Max Beerbohm (1896),
taken from Caricatures of Twenty-five Gentlemen

Ancient Pompeiian graffiti caricature of a politician.

James Gillray's The Plumb-pudding in danger (1805), which caricatured Pitt and Napoleon,
was voted the most famous of all UK political cartoons

Une discussion littéraire à la deuxième Galerie by Honoré Daumier
Lithograph published in Le Charivarinewspaper, February 27, 1864

A Group of Vultures Waiting for the Storm to "Blow Over"--"Let Us Prey."by Thomas Nast
Wood engraving published in Harper's Weekly newspaper, September 23, 1871

A modern, street-style caricature at a wedding, with the subject holding the picture for comparison

An editorial cartoon of Andrew Johnson and Abraham Lincoln, 1865, entitled "The Rail Splitter At Work Repairing the Union." The caption reads (Johnson): Take it quietly Uncle Abe and I will draw it closer than ever. (Lincoln): A few more stitches Andy and the good old Union will be mended.

A page from Leonardo's journal showing his study of a foetus in the womb (c. 1510)
Royal Library, Windsor Castle

Tweet