karikatur

Karikatur is a form of visual satire in which a person’s distinctive features or mannerisms are exaggerated to comic or critical effect. Traditionally drawn or printed, caricatures emphasize recognizable traits to convey personality, social status, or public reputation. The term Karikatur comes from the Italian caricatura, borrowed into German; its root is Latin caricatura, from caricare meaning to load, figuratively to overstate.

Caricature as a practice originated in late Renaissance Europe, with Italian draftsmen such as Annibale Carracci exploring distortion for expressive effect. In the 18th–19th centuries, political and social caricature became widespread in newspapers and magazines. Notable practitioners include Honoré Daumier in France and James Gillray in Britain, whose works attacked monarchs and policies. In German-speaking regions, caricature developed in magazines and satirical papers; 19th-century artists such as Wilhelm Busch and Heinrich Zille documented urban life, while 20th-century figures like George Grosz and John Heartfield used caricature and photomontage for anti-totalitarian and anti-fascist critique.

Techniques often involve exaggerating facial features, gestures, or clothing, while simplifying or distorting form to heighten recognition and impact. Caricature can be political, social, or humorous, and may range from lighthearted portrait jokes to sharp, controversial critique. With the rise of mass media and digital platforms, caricature has adapted to new formats, including editorial cartoons, digital illustrations, and memes, continuing to function as a tool for commentary and entertainment.