Are cartoons art? Certainly, no one would argue that the “cartoons” done by Raphael as models for tapestries are not art. Similarly, the paintings and engravings of Hogarth's “The Rake's Progress” are recognized as art. More recently, Lichenstein demonstrated that panels from comic books can be fine art. Indeed, even the work of the animators at Disney and Warner Brothers, with their ability to entertain and evoke emotion have been recognized as art.


London's Cartoon Museum is operated by a charity, the Cartoon Trust. It is “dedicated to preserving the best of British cartoons, caricatures, comics and animation. Our museum, gallery, archives and innovative exhibitions make the creativity of cartoon art, past and present, accessible to all for the purposes of education, research and enjoyment.”


The Museum was opened in 2006 by the Duke of Edinburgh, consort of Queen Elizabeth II. After several years on Little Russell Street, the Museum now occupies a subterranean space on Wells Street just north of Oxford Street, London's popular shopping street. Its permanent collection includes some 4,000 original cartoons and prints. In addition to the exhibition area, the Museum has a learning center and a shop.


A permanent exhibition traces the history of cartoons in Britain. Proceeding chronologically, the exhibits present examples of cartoons from each period as well as panels explaining their context. The focus is on works that commented on issues of the day rather than cartoons done just for entertainment. The works “observe, report, disturb, disrupt, amuse, attack and poke fun.” We see how events, issues and technology affected the art.


In addition to the permanent exhibition, the Cartoon Museum presents changing temporary exhibitions.


For more information about visiting, see the Cartoon Museum's website.

Places to see art ​ - Cartoon Museum - London, England