Love for Man and Nature. Ottawa, 1940.

“… Let ardent love for freedom, undaunted courage and loyalty of the Sons of Poland—martyred country of mine, be their inspiration for ever.”

SZYK, Arthur. Love for Man and Nature. Signed and Dated “Arthur Szyk, Ottawa: 1940”. Text in English and French. Watercolor and gouache on paper. Sheet size: 10″ x 10″. Image size: 9″ x 8″. Archivally matted and magnificently framed. Fine condition.

Arthur Szyk was residing in Canada at the time of this illumination, having recently given up his native Europe in order to raise awareness in the New World of the evils of Nazism and Hitler. “Propaganda is war — this time,” he stated and passionately began to seek assistance from the Canadian government in the creation of a War Art Dept to produce what he termed “Fighting Art”. The idea was to disseminate uplifting, patriotic images to the people and workers of Canada with the effect of boosting their self-worth and benefitting the nation and its war effort.

Szyk had already developed a deep love and admiration for the Dominion of Canada and conceived the idea of painting a series of 50 illuminations intimately detailing the country’s history. This ambitious project never moved beyond a few completed paintings, of which this is one.

“Love for Man and Nature has been my guide, To the Canadian Children of today—Men and Women of tomorrow—who will in the dawn of that tomorrow, help to mould a better and happier world than we have known, this study of the strenuous and noble efforts of Great Canadians is dedicated. Let ardent love for freedom, undaunted courage and loyalty of the Sons of Poland—martyred country of mine, be their inspiration for ever.”

These words in both English and French are Szyk’s promise of faith and fidelity in the Canadian nation that has given him a new home when his own native Poland, has been irretrievably broken. Always a tremendous optimist, Szyk sincerely believed in the superiority of Democracy as being the only efficient method of justice for a world made up of so many different races, creeds, and interests. In this painting he takes over 200 years of Canadian history and puts faces on the participants; the trappers, hunters, Indians, administrators and soldiers. Canada is uniquely challenged in having been settled with both a French and an English presence and so he paints the two uniforms, red and blue, of its colonial period. Not one but three different Indian tribes are portrayed, and soldiers from the War of 1812 are illuminated alongside those of the First and Second World Wars. Szyk’s meticulous attention to historical detail makes graphic use of Canada’s official shields and flags, national tree as well as the animals that were so important to her early economy; the bear, the rabbit, and of course, the beaver. Central to the bottom portion of the painting, and acting as the unifying force to his above quote, Szyk has painted the majestic white Polish eagle… “Let ardent love for freedom, undaunted courage and loyalty of the Sons of Poland— martyred country of mine, be their inspiration for ever…” Adding to this intensely personal wish is the image of the proud Son of Poland himself. Szyk has included his own self-portrait, dressed in military uniform with his pallet in hand. Let there be no confusion, this illumination is Szyk’s gift, a love letter, a benediction for a better world.

Exhibition History: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Palace of the Legion of Honor, December 4, 2010–March 27, 2011.