Michael Leunig was an iconic Australian cartoonist, writer, painter, philosopher and poet, best known for his cartoons published in the Sydney Morning Herald and Age newspapers over 55 years. Spanning the political, cultural and philosophical, his visual world was one of whimsy, wit and a deep humanity.

‘A FUNNY THING ABOUT DEMOCRACY’ is an original drawing for a cartoon. It is pithy, prescient and thought-provoking, depicting a line of enraged faces mirthlessly chanting “CRUCIFY HIM” offset by the final figure, who frets “Hang on… He’s not that bad”. A rumination on the mechanisms of democracy – its precarity, contradictions and tense negotiations between free speech and condemnation – this work is as relevant as ever.

As special as it is rare, ‘A FUNNY THING ABOUT DEMOCRACY’ is a jewel for admirers of Leunig and collectors of political art. It is recognisably by the artist, provenanced from the Leunig family’s private collection and hand-signed by Leunig himself.

Michael LEUNIG (1945 - 2024)
'A FUNNY THING ABOUT DEMOCRACY.'
ink on paper
Image Size: 13 x 19 cm
Dimensions: 21 x 30 cm
Signed: Signed lower right: Leunig
Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Very Good: Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to paper or frame. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface. Smudges throughout paper margins, part of the artists process.

(c) The Artist or Assignee