Caricature

A caricature is a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which specific features are exaggerated, often for humorous or grotesque effect.

The term ‘caricature’ originates from the Italian word 'caricatura,' and it emerged in Italian art around 1600, notably in the work of Annibale Carracci. The term ‘caricature’ was first documented in English in 1748, the same year when William Hogarth created his notable anti-French satire 'O the Roast Beef of Old England,' featuring caricatures of a French monk and soldiers. Hogarth's use of caricature became influential in Britain, especially in political cartooning.

In the later eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson showcased genius in the practice of caricature, particularly in political and social commentary. Caricature continued to be a prominent form of expression, with figures like Max Beerbohm excelling in the nineteenth century, and Gerald Scarfe standing out as one of the most powerful contemporary caricaturists.