Caricature art has a long history, dating back to Renaissance Italy, where artists first used exaggerated portraiture to comment on social and political life. With its sharp visual language, caricature has long revealed ideologies and personalities, often functioning as a tool of critique. It is also shaped by the context in which it is displayed, and how that setting influences its social and political impact. Does my head look BIG in this? The art of portrait caricature, the Cartoon Museum’s new temporary exhibition curated by Nicola Jennings, brings this history into sharp focus, tracing caricature from its Renaissance origins through its outrageous Golden Age in 18th‑century England and into its relevance today. The exhibition highlights how caricature has entertained, challenged the status quo and held political figures to account. It not only takes you through the history of caricature but also explores how artists have used it across time – the contexts, intentions and specifically its relationship to politics, setting the stage for the different forms of caricature presented throughout the exhibition.
The exhibition features caricatures of the royals and etchings by George Cruikshank, a famous British illustrator from the 1800s who was taught by his father, Isaac Cruikshank, another well‑known caricature artist. Many of the works depicting the royals focus on their extravagant lifestyles, critiquing class divides, something seen clearly in the works of James Gillray. George III & Queen Charlotte’s Temperance enjoying a frugal meal shows the two royals sloppily stuffing their mouths with food, with the Temperance tarot card referenced in the background. The card symbolises self‑restraint and moderation, offering a pointed critique of royal behaviour.
The exhibition also includes a reconstruction of a print‑window shop, dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. These shops displayed the latest irreverent representations of public figures, and caricature artist David Low working in the mid‑20th century later recognised that print windows were the equivalent of newspaper headlines. The reconstruction features 15 prints from artists Thomas Rowlandson, James Gillray, Isaac Cruikshank and George Cruikshank, giving visitors a sense of how caricature was encountered and consumed at the time.
Alongside the reconstructed print‑window shops, visitors encounter works that extend caricature into three‑dimensional and sculptural interpretations. In a glass casing, there is clay work on loan from Rory Bremner depicting Robin Cook and Tony Blair dressed as elves digging – a humorous yet pointed reference to their perceived greed. Though caricature art is often dismissed as mere mockery, it is more accurately an intellectual critique, using exaggeration to expose underlying truths. This exhibition highlights that idea clearly. Annibale Carracci is quoted on the wall saying, “A good caricature, like every work of art, is more true to life than reality itself.” The selection of work and the thoughtful curation reinforce this, guiding visitors through the history and significance of caricature.
As you walk along, there is also a slideshow introducing you to the ISCA, the International Society of Caricature Artists, featuring images of their work alongside short biographies of the artists. The slideshow highlights the range that caricature art has to offer, expanding the exhibition’s exploration of how caricature has developed across different mediums and practices.
This exhibition offers an introduction to the history of caricature and how it has evolved over time, an insightful look at the many forms caricature can take and how it is far more than the illustrations seen in magazines and newspapers. It invites audiences to consider their own perceptions of public figures, and to reflect on whether encountering them through caricature shifts or challenges those opinions.
Review by Rim Alkaiat
Opening hours and admission prices can be found on The Cartoon Museum’s website. https:/www.cartoonmuseum.org/visit-us Friends of the Museum and children go free.
Read our latest reviews here Abundantart-Reviews
