Background of Caricatures and Cartoons - Essay Example

?Introduction The concept of art is one which is not only defined by the ability to create specific types of expressions based on ideals of philosophers. More important, there is a specific ideology which is based on reflecting the political, social and artistic changes of a given time frame. When looking at the caricatures and cartoons of the 18th and 19th centuries, it can be seen that there were specific relationships to the different controversies of the time. The caricatures were developed specifically in relation to the social issues of the time, including the political revolutions and the social status which individuals had of the time. Each of these produced a different approach to the expression used and allowed the cartoons to remain at the forefront of expressing and questioning the movements which were occurring during this time frame. Background of Caricatures and Cartoons The 18th and 19th centuries differed with caricatures and cartoons because of their main purpose. In contemporary drawings, there is a focus on the publisher, with the cartoons published in magazines and newspapers. The expression was then based on short term ideologies and statements about a given issue. However, the cartoons which were provided before the 20th century were based on long term applications and were typically used with as a form of artistic expression to be shown in galleries, cafes and other areas. The concept of not dividing the cartoons and caricatures from the everyday artistic expressions created a valuable aspect to the cartoon and what is represented. More important, the subject matters and statements were created to remain relevant throughout time and to have thematic material which was applicable to culture, history and the way in which current events related to this1. The concept of the cartoon as one which was relevant to the time frame and which was also depicted as art then led to a distinction between the genre of art which it represented. Instead of creating the ideology that the artistic work was a cartoon or caricature, many considered the technique as one which expressed a form of satire. The satire was based on the current system while creating an expression which was both realistic and which couldn’t hold the belief of remaining real. The image and brand which was used with the technique was able to create this dichotomy specifically by showing that there was an unrealistic aspect to the political, social and cultural ideologies which many had, even though it was an event which had occurred. The dichotomy which was created and which presented the aspect of a satirical piece of work then led to specific expressions and definitions within the art presented2. Political Revolution and Cartoons The first component which was seen with the cartoons and satires which were presented were based on the French and British revolutions which occurred during the time. These particular components of history were based on the rebellion of the peasants and commoners to gain rights within the lands and to have more abilities with the nobles that were in the region. When this occurred, there were several uprisings and political powers which resisted the change. The result was sets of battles and warfare as well as arrests which occurred with the revolutions to try to maintain and change what had occurred with those who had gone through the desire to change. At the same time, there was a sense of trying to keep the lower classes oppressed while allowing the nobility and those with a higher economic and social status to remain ahead of those in society. The rebellion which occurred was based specifically on these divisions and the way in which they built into the several revolutions of the time.3 There are several examples of the uprising as well as the rebellion which took place and the satirical events which were associated with this. Figure 1 is a representative of the cartoons and satires which were based on the revolution. Figure 1: Reveil de Tiers Etat When looking at this specific piece, it can be seen that every part relates to the politics of the time and the relationship to the French revolution. The background shows the Battle of Bastille waiting to arise. There is also a direct relationship to the three estates which were a part of France, including the lower, middle and upper classes. The upper classes are the ones afraid of the rise of the lower class, which is represented as taking the chains off and lifting guns to the higher nobility. The response from the higher nobility is what makes the largest statement, specifically with the reaction of trying to stop the lower classes from overcoming the suppression, but also showing expressions of fear. This worked as a main expression that related to the times and the complexities related to the revolution and the rise of the lower class4. Changing the Course of Political Leadership A second component which was based on the politics of the time was related directly to the type of rulers which occurred in the kingdom as well as how individuals wanted this to be changed. While there were specific revolutions, there were also expressions which led up to this and which disregarded the nobility and rulers of the time. Those in society of the lower classes expressed this by disrespecting and satirizing those in society. The cartoons and caricatures became a representative of the lack of respect for loyalty at the time while showing a desire to change the political leadership which was in power. The result was the ability for groups to form and support the same expressions. The artistic work and satires then became a basis of expression for showing the ideals and realities of the political leadership, as opposed to showing the same respect that was withheld in the past from the idea of nobility being separated from those of the lower classes. This split and division, as well as the uprising of voices against nobility, was then able to lighten the ideology of those in power while changing the understanding and level of power of those in society5. A specific expression that was related to the ideal of nobility and the division which was created came from the association with realism. This specific ideal was based on expressing ideas that were true and present in society, despite the stigma over what the attitudes should be from the nobility of the time. Balzac, as well as other painters, were associated with this by creating the satire which was representative more of the realities then the ideals of having a high regard for those in power6. Figure 2 shows several images of King Louise Philippe, all which show the disregard and realities of the nobility of the time. Figure 2: King Louise Philippe From representing the king as a pear to a skeleton, is the same belief which was centered on nobility and the realities of how they approached others in society. The main ideal was one based on the misunderstanding of the higher class to understand the needs of the lower class while associating this with one taking from the labors of the lower class without giving rights in society. The issues, specifically around King Philippe, which led to the French Revolution, then became a main component in understanding the issues of the time through the use of satire. Social Status Another concept associated with the politics of the time was based on the social initiatives that were taken during this time. Europe was renowned for the social divisions which had occurred, specifically which were based on the significance of one’s position in society. There was an understanding in society that individuals which held a specific income level were regarded as being lower in society than those who took a different type of work. Each of these was furthered with the satires which depicted the divisions as well as the associations with the social divisions. The main ideology was to create an arousal of interest with the print, specifically so individuals in society would look at the realities of the divisions in society and the differences which this caused among several within the society. By creating this approach, there was the ability to try to change the social status and divisions while creating awareness about the issues of division within society.7 The perceptions which were created in the social context were not only important because of the noticed differences in society and the way in which this linked to the understanding of the social order. The purpose behind the caricature as well as the meaning which was associated with the cartoons and caricatures became as relevant and important in showing the divisions in social status. The perceptions were approached with a combination of satire and a sense of realism which was a part of society. This was associated with the realities of what most held as relevant, even though those making the cartoons and caricatures believed it was irrelevant or one which should be reconsidered for a different type of awareness.8 An example of this is in figure 3, in which the cartoon emphasizes the social differences as well as other boundaries during this time. Figure 3: Cartoon for Social Status The approach to this cartoon is important first because it shows the high social status. This is followed by the ‘fashion expanding’ and needing to have the doors expanded. The satire which the sketcher used from this was based on the gender identity, elitist class and the demands which they made which were unfair to those of the lower class. Expanding doors for a wider dress is the main satire which is used, showing the division with those that had a higher amount of money, showing that they were not living in a sense of reality. The sense of reality and the satire which showed how those in a higher social class didn’t regard this was furthered by the desire to have social reforms within society. The main link to this was based on the imbalance of wealth in society, specifically with those of nobility and a higher status taking the larger portion of money while those in the lower class were unable to live freely because of the difficulties. The restrictions which were faced by the lower class is what created the main culture and conflicts of the time and which led to a sense of injustice among those in society. The main ideology was to show how the wealth and status of individuals intertwined while the realities of those who were working in society always remained below what others had. It was believed that this injustice was one which created a different reality for both sides and needed to be changed. Using satire as a conviction to others within society became one of the main approaches used to ensure that there was a different understanding of the realities of social status and the divisions which it caused.9 The approach which was taken with the social status was one which intertwined the concept of nobility with the ideology of those who had less within society. There was an intertwining of the political and social realities, specifically because those creating the divisions within society were often related to royalty or others which were associated with an elitist group which held the largest amount of wealth in society. As seen in figure 4, there is a direct relationship to the social status and realities of those who were in charge, as well as the wealth and status imbalance of others in society. When looking at this caricature, it can be seen that the status and social link was directly associated with the politics of the time. The duke is the one which is speaking about taking a nap, while the others of the high status are required to tell him how wonderful he is, even though there isn’t anything politically shaping. The subtle parts of this include the amount of gold and the plan of the gold mine on each side, showing the direct relationship to hoarding all of the money in the region. The satire is furthered with the women that are telling him how wonderful he is, one which has a moustache and is clearly not a woman. These different images show that the duke, while taking all the money, is also not interested in more wealth or the needs of the people, but is only interested in taking more butter from the servant and getting sleep. The main ideology which is taken from the social status and the different cartoons is one which is able to show the realities of those living in nobility, specifically with an uncaring attitude and one which is able to take all the wealth. This is furthered by showing the association with the elitist groups, which is renowned for only caring about being associated with those who are making the money. Those who are at a lower status are required to give to the nobility without caring for their own livelihood, even though those in the top of society don’t need as much wealth and status. This was furthered with the political relations of the time, specifically with the rebellions which were taking place throughout the land. The caricatures and cartoons worked as a way to serve those who were trying to rebel and which needed to understand and remain enlightened about the reality of the situation. This was further combined with finding a different way to express the irrelevance of the social status and politics of the time while conveying that this was an unfair approach to those in society.10 Conclusion The use of caricatures and cartoons in the 18th and 19th century was regarded not only as important in creating a satirical expression to society. More important there was a specific understanding that the cartoons needed to relate to the several problems of the time. The association with politics and the relationship to the social status which was in society were intertwined. The ideal was to show the reality of the situation by using satire over the extremity which had arisen at the time. These expressions became a direct reflection not only of the art work of the time, but also is what led to the changes with the revolution and the upheavals against the politics and status driven components from wealth that were associated with European culture. 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In the Court of the Pear King: French Culture and the Rise of Realism, Cornell University Press, Ithaca (NY). Shaw, Matthew. (2007). “Drawing on the Collections.” Journalism Studies 8 (5). Wolf, Reya. (1991). Goya and the Satirical Print in England and on the Continent, 1730 to 1850, Boston College Museum of Art catalogue, Godine, Boston. Read More