Border for the History of Texas. New Canaan, 1951.

SZYK, Arthur. Border for the History of Texas. Signed and Dated “©Arthur Szyk, New Canaan, 1951”. Watercolor and gouache on board. Sheet size: 8″ x 7 1/2″. Image size: 6 1/4″ x 4 5/8″.

The top center of this border is dedicated to the United States’ coat of arms: an American bald eagle with outstretched wings holds an olive branch and arrows in its talons. The eagle supports a shield of red, white, and blue, and around it winds a scroll with the words “E Pluribus Unum.”

The Lone Star of Texas fixes all four corners, and the design of the state flag is presented on a shield at the bottom. Within the left and right sides of the border are the famous “Six Flags Over Texas,” referring to the six countries that have raised their flags over (held sovereignty over) some or all of Texas. Flags on the left are of Spain, France, and the Republic of Texas (Texas was its own country from 1836 to 1845). On the right are flags of the Confederacy, Mexico, and the United States.

The ultimate intention for this border was never realized although it seems likely, given its title, that it was created for a series on the History of Texas.

Szyk incorporated the use of elaborately decorative borders in many of his most famous illustrated books. In most cases a single illuminated border was created for an entire series (The Canterbury Tales, Book of Esther, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, etc.) for visual unity, to link the images, and expediency. Szyk’s use of flowers, leaves and vines, jewels, arabesques, and geometric patterns evokes the imagery of Persian carpets. His palette was pulled from the rainbow itself: brilliant oranges, shimmering blues and greens, and intense reds.

Provenance: Alexandra Szyk Bracie, daughter of Arthur Szyk.