The oldest comic book in the world goes on display for the first time in a major comic exhibition opening at the Hunterian Art Gallery in Glasgow (March 18).

Oldest comic 400

The Comic Invention exhibition will feature the little known work ‘The Glasgow Looking Glass’, first published in 1825 and predates Punch by 16 years. The comic book establishes Scotland as “the birthplace of comics”, according to the University of Glasgow.

Other major artworks in this exciting new exhibition include originals by Roy Lichtenstein with his iconic In the Car; special loans include two works by Andy Warhol’s - Campbell’s Soup and Jackie II featuring Jackie Kennedy; artwork by Rembrandt; and on display for the first time work by Turner Prize winner Martin Boyce. There are also prints by Picasso; Rauschenberg; Max Ernst and David Hockney.

Another star attraction will be an exclusive selection of 20 drawings by DC comic’s Glasgow artist Frank Quitely, the most in-demand graphic artist in the industry today. The collection features his original artwork for Batman, New X Men and Superman.

Professor Laurence Grove, lead academic for the Comic Invention exhibition and an expert in the history of comics, said: “This is a unique exhibition. For the first time comics are being put on an equal footing alongside major artworks such as Rembrandt and Warhol, and that is where they belong. They are works of art in their own right.”

The Comic Invention exhibition will open at the Hunterian Art Gallery on 18 March and runs until 17 July 2016.

For further information contact Jane Chilton, University of Glasgow communications and public affairs office.

0141 330 7126 / jane.chilton@glasgow.ac.uk

 

 

 

First published: 17 March 2016

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