Caricature is defined, and two types—character and portrait—are distinguished. Three sorts of criticisms of caricature—that it is ugly, unreal, and unfair—are discussed and somewhat defused. It is suggested that caricature partakes of humor, as the visual equivalent to a textual joke, and is open to a similar range of viewer impacts. Finally, it is argued that caricature cannot be fully appreciated absent recognition of its historicity, and a variety of factors of social development. Analysis of caricature and its impacts in relation to these unfolding factors is exemplified using the historical record of German caricatures.