18th-Century British Painting: Caricature

During the 18th century Britain experiences a real printing boom. Newspapers, pamphlets and satirical prints were sold to a growing urban middle class. Influenced by the enlightenment, which questioning contemporary customs and morals, we see a fashion for sentimental comedies, and the teaching of moral lessons through art. Hogarth subsequently builds on this idea with his modern moral subjects. Turbulent times in politics, racy scandals and controversies during the 18th century in Britain only encouraged the British appetite for satire, and a new genre is born: British Caricature.

Join us as we introduce this genre, its origination and influences, and its lasting popularity.

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