I · THE OBJECT · BRITISH MUSEUM
Characters and Caricaturas
▶ Listen · narrated
Caricatures are exaggerated. Characters? More nuanced. But is there more to it than exaggeration? That's where William Hogarth steps in.
At a glance
- Creator
- William Hogarth
- Type
- Collection
- British Museum
Look closer
The central face
The main figure is a woman with an exaggerated, oversized nose. The nose itself has its own eyes and mouth, and looks back at us. Hogarth did this to show how caricature exaggerates features to make them seem grotesque.
Surrounding figures
The central face is flanked by two other figures. To the left there's a man with glasses and a pipe, and on the right, a woman in a bonnet holding a child. These are less exaggerated than the central figure so they serve as examples of Hogarth's characterisations.
The difference between the two
Caricature is exaggeration used for entertainment and mockery; it’s easy to spot and easy to understand, while characterisation is more subtle. It’s in everyday art that surrounds us, such as novels, plays or even advertisements.
The story
William Hogarth made a print called Characters and Caricaturas in 1743. He did this as the subscription ticket for his Marriage à-la-mode series. Critics had dismissed some of Hogarth’s characters as caricatures rather than characterisations, accusing him of exaggerating features merely for entertainment or mockery. The response was a subtle illustration in print form that addressed those criticisms by showcasing exactly what he thought characterisation was.
A woman with an oversized nose serves as the central figure of this work. Hogarth depicts her as caricature because of the grotesque exaggeration of one feature: her nose, which has its own eyes and mouth. The exaggerated features make it easy to understand that the artist is using caricature here for entertainment purposes. This style uses exaggerated and often absurd physical characteristics.
To illustrate characterisation, Hogarth used two flanking figures. One is a man with glasses and a pipe; another is a woman in a bonnet holding a child. These characters are more nuanced than the central figure. They do not have exaggerated features but instead embody subtle attributes that allow viewers to understand their personalities without relying on exaggerated characteristics.
The print was made as a response from Hogarth to critics who accused his work of being mere caricature. He wanted to show how characterisation can be used in art without exaggeration, and that his work had more depth than just amusement or mockery through the use of exaggerated features. Critics dismissed his characters as mere caricatures because they did not understand the subtlety of Hogarth’s approach.
Characters and Caricaturas remains relevant today as it addresses a fundamental question in art: how do artists represent people? It illustrates how characterisation requires nuance, whereas caricature relies on exaggeration for entertainment purposes. This print can help viewers appreciate how Hogarth approached his work differently than other artists who relied solely on exaggerated features to make their point.
Why it mattered then
Hogarth made Characters and Caricaturas in response to criticism from art experts that his work was mere caricature, not serious characterisation. The print is a subtle illustration of how Hogarth’s characters are distinct from the crude caricatures he was accused of making. There was an element of self-defence here, as well as a desire to educate viewers about the difference between the two.
Why it matters now
Characters and Caricaturas remains relevant today because it addresses a fundamental question in art: how do artists represent people? Hogarth’s work shows that there is more nuance than just exaggeration. He illustrates this by showing caricature as exaggerated, where characterisation has subtlety. Hogarth's print provides insight into his approach to creating characters and the importance of representation beyond mere entertainment. It can help viewers appreciate how he approached his work differently from other artists who relied solely on exaggerated features.
The surprising detail
The woman with the oversized nose on the print is a nod to another artist's works. Hogarth deliberately referenced them in his own print to make his point about character and caricature. This is part of what makes Characters and Caricaturas a subtle, layered piece of art — it’s not just about the main subject but also references other artists' work.
How it got here
The British Museum acquired this print as part of Hogarth's series. It remains with the museum today.
Remember this
Characters and Caricaturas shows how Hogarth defined his approach against critics who dismissed him as mere caricaturist.
Test yourself
How did Hogarth illustrate the concept of caricature versus characterisation?
Hogarth used a woman with an oversized nose as caricature, while flanking her with less exaggerated figures. These figures are examples of his more nuanced characterisations.
Go deeper
Image: William Hogarth, Public domain. Licence: Public domain. Source.