Original political cartoons

Abstract

Political cartoons are vivid primary sources that offer intriguing and entertaining insights into the public mood, the underlying cultural assumptions of an age, and attitudes toward key events or trends of the times (Burack, 2015). Since the 18th century, political cartoons have offered a highly useful window into the study of public life of different nations. Although many cartoons exhibit stark, simple imagery, they often employ complex visual strategies and contemporary political discourse to make a point quickly in a confined space. Their main purpose, though, is not to amuse the readers but to persuade, or at least to influence them in some way or another. Analysing the works of the eminent Maltese cartoonist Maurice Tanti Burlò, Ramona Depares (2015) concludes that, ‘Each cartoon tells a story that is based not on emotion, but on facts’.