caricature

Caricature is a portrait that intentionally exaggerates distinctive physical features or character traits for humorous, critical, or satirical effect. It emphasizes exaggeration in facial features, proportions, or gestures to convey a likeness that is recognizable while heightening certain attributes. Caricatures can be drawn, sculpted, or produced digitally, and they often accompany commentary on people, behavior, or social situations.

The term derives from the Italian caricatura, meaning overloading or exaggeration, and emerged in Renaissance and early modern Europe to describe distorted likenesses. Early examples appeared in drawings and engravings, with the practice developing into a recognized art form. In the 18th and 19th centuries, British satirists such as James Gillray and Thomas Rowlandson, and French cartoonist Honoré Daumier, popularized caricature through prints and newspaper illustrations. The genre later became central to periodical humor and political commentary, notably in publications such as Punch in Britain.

Techniques commonly involve enlarging or deforming features such as the nose, mouth, or head shape, while simplifying other details. Compositional devices include labels, symbolic objects, and exaggerated poses to amplify personality or critique. Caricature spans multiple media, including pen and ink drawings, lithographs, sculpture, and, more recently, digital illustrations. It is often used to comment on politics, celebrity culture, or social norms, balancing recognition with satire.

Ethical and legal considerations accompany caricature, particularly regarding defamation, copyright, and the rights of public figures. While it can illuminate public issues and provoke discussion, it may also spark controversy or offense. Caricature remains a prominent form of visual commentary, distinct from straightforward portraiture yet closely connected to political cartoons and social critique.