Details
SZYK, Arthur (1894-1951), artist. Two original pen and ink political cartoons both signed ("Arthur Szyk N.Y. '42"), both relating to World War II in the Pacific, New York, [after August 1942]. One drawing: 9 x 8½ in.; the other 7 x 5,1/2 in., both in India ink on smooth-textured drawing paper, the smaller drawing with another unfinished sketch on verso (a helmeted soldier lunging forward), the larger drawing with trace of old mount at top edge of verso.
SZYK'S VIEW OF THE FIRST AMERICAN CAMPAIGNS IN THE PACIFIC
Two finely rendered black-and-white drawings in Szyk's characteristic realist style, probably intended for use in a newspaper or magazine, each relating to the American offensive against the Japanese in late 1942. The larger drawing depicts a heavily armed U.S. Marine with a large broom, sweeping ant-like enemy soldiers waving a rising sun flag off an island labeled "TULAGI," while tiny Japanese aircraft circle him like insects. The cartoon alludes to the crucial Solomon Islands campaign, which began with Marine amphibious landings on Guadalcanal (Aug.7) and Tulagi (Aug.8). The smaller drawing depicts a jack-booted Japanese officer (with sumarai sword and swastika armband) astride tall stilts which rest on two islands labeled "TULAGI" and "KISCA"; a helmeted American soldier, hatchet upraised, is chopping at one of the officer's stilts. (2)
SZYK'S VIEW OF THE FIRST AMERICAN CAMPAIGNS IN THE PACIFIC
Two finely rendered black-and-white drawings in Szyk's characteristic realist style, probably intended for use in a newspaper or magazine, each relating to the American offensive against the Japanese in late 1942. The larger drawing depicts a heavily armed U.S. Marine with a large broom, sweeping ant-like enemy soldiers waving a rising sun flag off an island labeled "TULAGI," while tiny Japanese aircraft circle him like insects. The cartoon alludes to the crucial Solomon Islands campaign, which began with Marine amphibious landings on Guadalcanal (Aug.7) and Tulagi (Aug.8). The smaller drawing depicts a jack-booted Japanese officer (with sumarai sword and swastika armband) astride tall stilts which rest on two islands labeled "TULAGI" and "KISCA"; a helmeted American soldier, hatchet upraised, is chopping at one of the officer's stilts. (2)