The Bulwark of Democracy. New Canaan, 1948.

SZYK, Arthur. The Bulwark of Democracy. Signed and Dated “Arthur Szyk, New Canaan 1948”. Pen and ink on paper. Sheet size 6 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. Image size: 6 5/8″ x 5″. Water smear through central park of image, Good condition.

An armed Arab soldier/giant identified as “The Arab League” rides a donkey accompanied by three rough military men and a rat. One wears an armband representing “Polish Nazis”, another is labeled “Bevinians”, and the third is a straight up Nazi bearing a clear resemblance to Heinrich Himmler. The body of the United Nations lies in a background with a sword through the heart.

With the British Mandate controlling Palestine finally over and a new Jewish state proclaimed in May, the Arab armies of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt attacked Israel. In this image Szyk is suggesting that support in this effort is being provided by the remains of the Polish and German fascists along with the supporters of Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary in the immediate post-war years. Bevin was famously opposed to the political actions and subsequent anti-British violence attached to the Zionist movement in their efforts to create a Jewish state. His actions were a public relations disaster; such as returning Jewish Holocaust refugees who tried to enter Palestine back to Displaced Persons camps in central Europe.

This work of art is likely part of a series of drawings created by Arthur Szyk entitled: “The Holy War Series.”

Provenance: Alexandra Szyk Bracie, daughter of Arthur Szyk.

Publishing History: New York Post and The Home News, June 2, 1948, p. 2.