Karikaturer 1908

This caricature was drawn by Robert Storm Petersen, using graphite on paper. Graphite, commonly known as pencil lead, is a readily accessible material, intimately linked to everyday life and the world of work. The stark simplicity of the line drawings underscores the labor involved in their creation, yet also provides a powerful means of expression and criticism. Here, the artist uses the most basic of materials, manipulating line and form to create exaggerated facial features. This approach is embedded in a longer history of caricature and cartooning, offering social commentary through accessible means. The choice of such a humble material challenges the notion of art as precious or exclusive, opening it up to broader engagement. The artist employs the inherent qualities of graphite – its smoothness, its ability to create both delicate lines and bold strokes – to emphasize the features of his subjects. In doing so, Petersen elevates the status of the medium, transforming a humble material into a powerful tool for social and political critique.