Caricatures and Satire in a Global Perspective:1850–1950 (University of Bonn)

University of Bonn, Institute for Oriental and Asian Studies, Department for Islamic Studies and Near Eastern Languages

Organizers: Dr. Anna Kollatz, Dr. Veruschka Wagner

Date: 15–16 Dec. 2022, Bonn

The century between 1850 and 1950 can be described, in a global perspective, as a century of transitions. During these years, a multitude of profound changes hit the world in many ways, such as in political, social and societal dimensions. Modernization processes, new concepts of education, the discussion of women’s rights and participation in political decision-making are just a few examples. The period is also strongly influenced by Western colonialism and imperialism, at least in its beginnings, while also seeing emancipation movements against these hegemonies.

In this very fluid transition period, which was of course also marked by conflicts, discourses emerged that were conducted with similar themes and similar communication media in different parts of the world, but also in global exchange. Among others, this period saw a veritable boom in satirical journals that addressed the mentioned transformative strands and conflicts, notably also by caricatures.

This conference ventures into taking stock of satirical discourses communicated in caricatures in a transcultural, comparative way. We invite colleagues from a wide range of disciplines to present case studies and engage in dialogue across disciplinary boundaries.

The conference will be organized along the following thematic lenses:

1) Comparing Style and Content

a. Figures and stereotypes

b. Painting techniques

c. Settings

d. Text-Context relations in (satire) journals

2) Functions and Objectives of Caricatures as

a. Criticizing tools

b. Propaganda

c. Educative tools

d. Entertainment (with a hidden agenda)

3) Thematic Strands

a. Discussing modernization and progress

b. Technological utopia and dystopia

c. Gender questions

d. Political and social questions 

Proposals may be sent to caricatures@uni-bonn.de until March 15, 2022. Abstracts (roughly 200 words) should describe the proposed paper/panel, including topic, method, and used sources. Comparative papers/panels that examine Ua fixed topic in transcultural perspective (two or more regions, languages, etc. involved) are especially welcome.

Find the .pdf-Version of this Call for Papers here: