The political cartoon refers to comic drawings drawn up with the purpose of transmitting opinion commentaries on political subjects or personages. It uses humor as a form of expression, but it is considered a political tool of great seriousness and transcendence.
At present this form of expression plays a fundamental role, especially in the construction of the political discourse of societies. In addition, it is considered a manifestation of freedom of the press and of expression.
This type of expression occupies an important place in the opinion sections of the print and electronic media. In fact, they enjoy as much value and recognition as the written columns of opinion. Political caricaturists are highly valued.
Its content focuses on current issues and general interest. Therefore, they are aimed at a public that has a minimum of knowledge on these subjects. These cartoons focus on generating debates in public opinion.
History
It is estimated that the first manifestations close to the political caricature occurred when the Romans drew the image of Nero on the walls of Pompeii.
However, technological advances were necessary later for the propagation that today has reached this form of expression. In this sense, the technique of engraving was one of the most important advances that made possible the development of political caricature.
First modern manifestations
In the sixteenth century, during the time of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, visual propaganda was widely used to represent political and religious figures as heroes or villains, according to their position within that conjunctural moment.
These artistic manifestations were developed in engravings of wood and metal, and they were very popular. This is because there were very high levels of illiteracy, so that images were the only form of communication that could reach the vast majority of the population.
During the eighteenth century the Italian caricature emerged, which became the basis of the caricaturists of the time. They created images designed to influence the viewers' opinions and at the same time make them laugh on serious subjects.
With the passage of time it was possible to approach and discuss more and more subjects through the caricatures. Therefore, the interest of the population in these and its influence on the decisions and on the evolution of societies was also growing.
In the same century, copyright was extended in Britain to satires related to current events, which were reproduced through new plates of copper engraving; that is, those primitive political cartoons that had begun to attract attention in bars, taverns and coffee shops.
The birth of the myth
The consciousness of the true power of political caricature originated in France. This happened during Napoleon's invasion of Italy, when a young soldier illustrated the tyrant in a caricature, contributing greatly to his overthrow.
This fact illustrated by Stendhal in 1839 showed that those humorous images were not only a fun. On the contrary, it showed how they could mobilize public opinion towards decisive political positions and actions.
In this same country, in 1830, Charles Philipon founded the newspaper The caricature , from which graphic critics were launched against Luis Felipe and Napoleón III. These publications reinforced the power of political caricatures and founded the myth of their ideological power.
First manifestations in America
The first political caricature of the American continent is attributed to Benjamin Franklin. In 1747 he drew a kneeling man praying to Hercules with the legend"Heaven helps those who help".
This image sought to invite the American settlers to defend themselves against the native natives without British aid. In this case, the British crown was represented in the image of Hercules as a metaphor.
Later, in 1754, he would create a new caricature of a snake cut into pieces. Each of these pieces was named after a colony and the drawing was accompanied by the phrase"Join or Die".
In this case he invited the colonies to unite against their common enemies through the allegory of the serpent. This image was transformed into a message of great transcendence in that historical moment, demonstrating the power of influence of these short and symbolic messages.
Main Features
Political caricature is characterized by addressing real and current events through a metaphorical and satirical language. This resource usually serves to point out problems or discrepancies with a particular political situation.
Usually, literary and graphic resources are used that exaggerate the characteristics of the situations or the characters that are approached. These resources are not intended to distort reality; on the contrary, they seek to reveal the absurdity of facts through hyperbole.
For this reason different artistic resources, such as symbols and allegories, are used. The artist usually focuses a lot on that the use of these figures does not distort the message or make interpretation difficult for the readers.
When a political caricature succeeds, it can fulfill an important function of social criticism within a given context. They are often powerful weapons of emancipation, and at the same time political control, because they influence the decision-making of citizens.
Since the eighteenth century, political caricature is considered a means of criticism and combat against the characters of public life. Their humorous and satirical language is known as a way of ridiculing politicians to correct their mistakes or motivate the people to undertake struggles against them.
Humor is conceived as the most civilized way to develop critical awareness in the population, even in the least informed. This form of expression transcends mockery and becomes an entire political weapon that allows public opinion to be shaken and the way of thinking changed.
References
- Dictionary of American History. (2003). Political Cartoons. Retrieved from: encyclopedia.com
- González, B. (S.F.). The political caricature in Colombia. Retrieved from: banrepcultural.org
- Holtz, A. (S.F.). Are Political Cartoons Relevant? Retrieved from: digitalhistory.hsp.org
- Knieper, T. (2016). Political Cartoon. Recovered from: britannica.com
- Study.com. (S.F.). What are Political Cartoons? - History & Analysis. Recovered from: study.com