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. In this rare collection of hand-crafted cartoons, Leunig’s artistic beginnings are unveiled. Unendingly honest and bitingly comedic, these early-career works are a testament to Leunig’s longstanding ability to confront audiences’ sensibilities while still making them laugh.

In ‘Untitled (The Other Woman)’, Leunig uses his signature satirical style to criticise the then Prime Minister John Gorton. Mr. Gorton, in 1969, was at the time rumoured to have several affairs, including one with American actress Liza Minelli. In this cartoon, Leunig uses collaged newspaper clippings to juxtapose news articles about the PM’s indiscretions against newspaper reports from the Vietnam war. Rich in Australian political history, this cartoon is deliberately jarring for the reader, with Leunig’s own cynicism towards the Prime Minister expressed implicitly. Signed by the artist himself, this work is classically Leunig and vividly reflective of his artistic process.

This cartoon was created for the short-lived political magazine ‘Broadside’ in 1969. This Melbourne-based fortnightly bulletin was headed by politician, activist and journalist Pete Steedman and owned by The Age newspaper. Often shocking and divisive, and always politically charged, this publication only ran for around seven months.

These works are rare to market and instantly reflective of the 1969 political landscape. For lovers of Leunig, those fascinated by the history of Australian politics, or collectors of political cartoons, ‘Untitled (The Other Woman)’ is a jewel to discover.

Michael LEUNIG (1945 - 2024)
'Untitled (The other woman)' 1969
mixed media on paper
Image Size: 34 x 51 cm
Dimensions: 56 x 72 x 3 cm
Signed: Signed 'Leunig' in bottom right corner of image

Comes with Letter of Provenance

Condition: Good. As expected with age, the work would benefit from conservation. We can engage a highly regarded conservator to sensitively restore it to good condition.

(c) The Artist or Assignee