Caricature

A caricature is a humorous illustration that exaggerates or distorts the basic essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness.

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Although caricatures can be made of inanimate objects such as cars or buildings, the art form is usually reserved for illustrations of people, especially celebrities and politicians.

Related Topics:
Car - Building - Celebrities - Politician

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Caricatures can be insulting or complimentary and can serve a political purpose or be drawn solely for entertainment. Caricatures of politicians are commonly used in editorial cartoons, while caricatures of movie stars are often found in entertainment magazines.

Related Topics:
Editorial cartoons - Magazine

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The word "caricature" can also apply to a person or thing that displays behaviour or mannerisms that are ridiculously exaggerated and overly stereotypical.

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An early definition of the origins of 'caricature', an Italian word meaning 'to load', occurs in the English doctor Sir Thomas Browne's Christian Morals (first pub.1716)

Related Topics:
Sir Thomas Browne - Christian Morals

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:Expose not thy self by four-footed manners unto monstrous draughts, and Caricatura representations.

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with the foot-note -

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:When Mens' faces are drawn with resemblance to some other Animals, the Italians call it, to be drawn in Caricatura

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