Churchill in Cartoons: Satirising a Statesman

Churchill once wrote, ‘I always loved cartoons’, but complained that cartoonists ‘have great power indeed.’

This free exhibition at IWM London marks 150 years since Winston Churchill’s birth, uncovering how satirical cartoons influenced public perception during Churchill’s lifetime, and how they shape our understanding of his role in history today.

Churchill consciously created his own distinctive image. This included his ever-present cigar and wartime ‘V’ sign. These visual props, along with his high-profile and often controversial political career, made him a cartoonist’s dream.

You’ll find cartoons spanning Churchill’s long career in the public eye, from his early years as a young politician to his time as Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, and more recent examples of his image being used to draw parallels with modern day politicians. Created by artists from around the globe, this collection of cartoons offers international perspectives on Churchill’s political career and legacy, both celebratory and condemning.

We recommend allowing around 20-30 minutes to visit Churchill in Cartoons. Visit our Second World War Galleries to discover more about the most devastating conflict in modern global history, or visit our temporary exhibition War and the Mind to explore the psychological dimensions of war.