CARICATURES IN PERUVIAN SATIRICAL NEWSPAPERS (19TH-20TH CENTURIES)
A brief sample. Special Collections of the PUCP Library System
Periódicos satíricos Tres periódicos satíricos peruanosPontifical Catholic University of Peru
CARICATURES FROM THE LATE 19TH CENTURY
Newspapers such as La Caricatura, Ño Bracamonte and El Leguito Frai José, published between 1892 and 1893, significantly enriched public debate at a time when the political scene was dominated by party diversification.
La Caricatura (1893-01-07) by AnónimoPontifical Catholic University of Peru
One of the main features of the newspaper La Caricatura was the enormous illustration that accompanied each of its issues.
It represents a dispute between a woman representing the Civic Union parliamentary alliance and a Caceres supporter. The dispute was motivated by the Constituent Congress.
It represents Cáceres kicking the Constitution that prevented him from running for president for a second time.
The animal-like character, who characterizes the Vanguard, requests a constituent congress from President Morales Bermúdez, who appears to reject it.
Cáceres decapitating “la patria” to finally run for president.
In opposition to La Caricatura, Ño Bracamonte was a satirical newspaper that subtly defended the government of Remigio Morales Bermúdez and the ideals of Andrés Avelino Cáceres. The main target of ridicule was the Civic Union, a parliamentary alliance founded by Congressmen Mariano Nicolás Valcárcel and Francisco Rosas.
Ño Bracamonte (1892-12-24) by VejetePontifical Catholic University of Peru
This caricatures exaggerates the parliamentary opposition to the executive branch, led by the Civic Union. Mariano Nicolás Valcarcel (top left corner and bottom half) stands out among the other figures; he is depicted intending to proclaim himself president.
El Leguito Frai José was a satirical newspaper that directly supported Nicolás de Piérola, leader of the Democratic Party and candidate for the 1894 presidential elections.
Leguito Fray José (1893-05-31) by VinagrilloPontifical Catholic University of Peru
With an explicit reference to the biblical story of David facing Goliath, Nicolás de Piérola, a defender of democracy, is portrayed confronting and defeating Cáceres, characterized as the giant Goliath.
With an explicit reference to the biblical story of David facing Goliath, Nicolás de Piérola, a defender of democracy, is portrayed confronting and defeating Cáceres, characterized as the giant Goliath.
GRAPHIC SATIRE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY
In 1904, the weekly magazine Actualidades (1903–1908) published the first cartoon by Julio Málaga Grenet, one of the most important caricaturist of the first half of the 20th century. In its first issues, Málaga's artwork served only to entertain the reader and accompany the text.
Málaga Grenet en Actualidades (1904-07-07) by Julio Málaga GrenetPontifical Catholic University of Peru
The following year, some of the cartoons in Málaga took on political content, but without adopting a party affiliation.
Caricatura satírica política de Málaga Grenet en Actualidades (1905-10-28) by Julio Málaga GrenetPontifical Catholic University of Peru
In this image, the caricaturist portrays the Republic of Peru as an old man with an annoying pimple on his forehead, which he identifies as an “Extraordinary Congress.”
In this image, the caricaturist portrays the Republic of Peru as an old man with an annoying pimple on his forehead, which he identifies as an “Extraordinary Congress.”
However, it was in the magazine Monos y Monadas (1905-1907) where Málaga refined political humor.
Caricatura satírica política de Málaga Grenet en Monos y Monadas (1907-06) by Julio Málaga GrenetPontifical Catholic University of Peru
The drawing depicts an ironic conversation between Augusto B. Leguía, Minister of Finance, and José Pardo y Barreda, President of Peru, against Congress. The scene portrays the conflicts between the two branches of government.
Leguía -- They tell me that all kinds of ferocious beasts come in here: lions, tigers, hyenas, panthers, etc., etc.... Imagine, Pepe, what that must be like!...
A young Abraham Valdelomar also participates in Monos y Monadas as a budding cartoonist, a little-known facet that demonstrates his broad artistic ability.
Caricatura satírica política de Abraham Valdelomar en Monos y Monadas (1907-11-06) by Abraham ValdelomarPontifical Catholic University of Peru
With saturated colors, Valdelomar portrays General Andrés Avelino Cáceres after his return to Peru in 1907. The drawing exaggerates Cáceres's old age, in addition to highlighting the political struggle between the Civil Party and the Constitutional Party.
Fray K-Bezón (1908-01-04) by AnónimoPontifical Catholic University of Peru
Fray K. Bezón (1907-1910) is the most radical of the newspapers ever published. From its cover, one can perceive the type of humor and style of its content: colorful, irregularly drawn caricatures with incisive criticism of the clergy and the national political scene. A significant sales success, the newspaper is remembered, among other things, for the crudeness of its drawings and the controversy surrounding its radical anticlericalism.
Fray K-Bezón en política (1908-01-04) by ChambónPontifical Catholic University of Peru
POLITICS
It represents the negotiation between Peruvian President José Pardo y Barreda and Chilean President Pedro Montt regarding the captive provinces of Tacna and Arica. The caricatures emphasizes Montt's interest in "buying" these provinces and the improvisation of Peruvian diplomacy, which, rather than adhering to the Treaty of Ancón, resorted to the roll of the dice.
Fray K-Bezón en religión (1907-09-07) by ChambónPontifical Catholic University of Peru
RELIGION
The caricatures shows the hypocrisy with which certain priests lived: while in public they presented themselves as fervent devotees, in private they organized parties with alcohol and women.
Another recurring theme in the work of Fray K. Bezón was the ridicule of the pro-Asian immigration policy during the José Pardo y Barreda administration. Most of these cartoons were based on common prejudices of the time.
Fray K-Bezón y la inmigración china (1907-04) by AnónimoPontifical Catholic University of Peru
CHINESE IMMIGRATION
A caricatures representing the face of a Chinese immigrant made up of instruments linked to his economic activities in Peru: a pair of knives, a pressure cooker, a wallet, and a pair of swords.
Fray K-Bezón y los chinos en el Perú (1907-07-08) by Rubén PolarPontifical Catholic University of Peru
The caricatures exacerbates a common prejudice that attributed consumption of exotic or domestic animals to Chinese immigrants. By associating them with unhealthiness and disease, it reveals the stigmas that marked their representation in Peruvian society at the beginning of the 20th century.
Content: PUCP Library System. Special Collections
Texts: María Estela Reaño / Matías Lozada
Photographs: Endangered Archives Program Project | British Library. ARCADIA
Photo editing: Melissa Boza Palacios
References:
Ayala Calderón, Kristhian. (2021). La Patria en disputa. Representaciones de la nación en la caricatura política de la guerra civil entre Andrés A. Cáceres y Nicolás de Piérola (1892-1896). Lima: Universidad Católica sedes Sapientiae.
Rivera Escobar, Raúl. (2006). Caricatura en el Perú. El Período Clásico (1904-1931). Lima: Universidad San Martín de Porres, Biblioteca Nacional del Perú.
Tauzin Castellanos, Isabelle (2009). La caricatura en la prensa satírica peruana (1892-1909). Boletín del Instituto Riva Agüero. No. 35
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