George Townshend

British caricaturist

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June 17, 2026

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George Townshend was an English printmaker active in the 1760s, known for his contributions to personal caricature. He created comic portraits that often featured punning titles or accessories, a technique used to subtly convey satire without being overtly libelous. Townshend's work was influential, appearing in popular magazines of the time such as The London Magazine, the Political Register, and the Town and Country Magazine. He is considered a precursor to later professional caricaturists like Thomas Rowlandson, who continued and expanded upon the tradition of comic portraiture and social satire.12

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caricature and cartoon
18th century
…the 1760s by the Englishman George Townshend (later Marquess Townshend), these were comic portraits with punning titles or accessories, intended by disingenuous means to avoid being outright libellous. A flood of imitations followed. Soon Townshend’s cards became comic illustrations in magazines such as The London Magazine, the Political Register, and…
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…the 1760s by the Englishman George Townshend (later Marquess Townshend), these were comic portraits with punning titles or accessories, intended by disingenuous means to avoid being outright libellous. A flood of imitations followed. Soon Townshend’s cards became comic illustrations in magazines such as The London Magazine, the Political Register, and…
Read More