Definition – General aspects

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The different purposes of caricatures over the centuries will be described in this paragraph.

In German, this genre (Karikatur) has at least two meanings:

a) An exaggerated portrait drawing (Ital. caricare = fluoride)
b) A satirical picture composition with critical, often political aims (see Paragraph 2).

The famous print by Charles Philipon, first published in 1831, shows both (see section 6, fig. 4).
Since the beginning of the modern era, and lasting until the 20th century, figurative illustrations were used as means of political contention and discussion, which included propaganda and the formation of opinions.

Today, caricatures can be found in newspapers in the form of a drawing of e.g. a national leader.
Offensive pictures as well as grotesque displays of human beings have been around since antiquity. What’s new is its being directed towards a broad and anonymous audience. Its development therefore requires flexible techniques of reproduction.

The beginning of the modern era of caricature was the era of Gutenberg and the Italian paper mills. Techniques such as copper engraving, which was developed in the 15th century, as well as wood carving led to a further and wider distribution of figurative illustrations.

During the Reformation, the opponents of Luther were derided by means of drawings. This was the first occasion when caricatures were used as propaganda.

After this, a wider distribution of caricatures occurred during the struggle for freedom by the Netherlands against Spain, in the Thirty Years' War, and in the conflict between the Netherlands and France of Louis XIV.
 

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