During the 18th century Britain experienced a printing boom. Newspapers, pamphlets and satirical prints were sold to a growing urban middle class. Influenced by the Enlightenment, which questioned contemporary customs and morals, a fashion for sentimental comedies and moral lessons taught through art emerged. The painter and caricaturist William Hogarth built on these fashions with his modern moral subjects. Political and social scandal during the 18th century only encouraged the British appetite for satire, and a new genre was born: British Caricature.
Join us as we introduce this genre, its origination and influences, and its lasting popularity.
About our speaker
Dr Matthew Morgan is a freelance art historian, educator and museum professional. He has been the Museum Director of Turner’s House, and he is also an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London. He has worked in the heritage sector for 10 years, including at the Royal Collection, the National Gallery, the Wallace Collection and the V&A. Prior to that he was a Director in Christie’s Valuation Department. He has contributed to TV documentaries, podcasts, radio shows and has lectured widely across the country and made a series of short films which can be seen on YouTube.
This lecture will last an hour. Tickets are available to watch the lecture either ONLINE or IN-PERSON at the Foundling Museum; in-person tickets include Museum entry. The online recording will be available to watch for 1 month.
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