Wednesday, 25 November 2015

The origins of political cartoons

During the 15th century ,  Pieter Bruegel, a painter satiric-based was being known by the population due to his abstract and absurds paintings of weird inventions and symbolism.

By the 16th century , Martin Luther started to pay a special attention to Bruegel's style, during a debate about reformation against Pope Alexander VI . At the same time, the leadership within the villages and towns were risen up by a merchant class in Germany. Luther though that these group of people could help him to support his new reforms. After being successful in collecting these people's support, Luther anticipate his success in obtaining the support of the masses. In order to do that, Luther started to spread out posters and illustrated booklets showing Biblical scenes that everyone could recognise in every major towns and villages. Next to them , he put the same picture but using  caricatures of members of the Catholic Church in a antagonist perspective . This was the birth of political cartoons.



(Paraphrasing text from "Early Formulations of American Identity, Ideals, and Ideas" By David Thorn)

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