Milk Snatcher: The Thatcher Drawings
14 March – 31 May 2015
Gerald Scarfe’s previously un-exhibited drawings of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
Gerald Scarfe captured the Iron Lady in satirical cartoon over a period of 22 years – from her days as a member of the shadow cabinet to her leadership of the Conservative Party and her tenure as Prime Minister, as well as her political decline. He pulled no punches, portraying Thatcher as equally cunning, ruthless, mean spirited, vain, terrifying, sharp and sexy.
Brought together for this display at The Bowes Museum, Scarfe's cartoons highlight key moments in British social history, such as the Winter of Discontent, the miners’ strike and the Falklands War.
Don't miss
As well as offering an insight into Thatcher's career, the display demonstrates the enormous contribution Scarfe has made to both political commentary and graphic art. The sweeping gesture of his pen stroke and his colour palette reveals the influence of artists such as Francis Bacon.