Es Lebe die Kais(er) [Long Live the Kaiser]. Lódz, 1919.

SZYK, Arthur. Es Lebe die Kais[er]. (Lódz, 1919.) Original pen and ink drawing on paper. Sheet size: 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Image size: 6 1/4″ x 5 5/8″. Very Good condition.

This drawing represents one of Szyk’s earliest forays into the world of cartoon art — a genre that would dominate his artistic career and define the most important struggles of his role as an artist and an activist. Dating from an early period in his career, this drawing has little in common with his later political cartoons.

The forms in this drawing are more spare and linear, giving an overall impression of height rather than girth. The faces of the men are simple, and their clothes are defined with a few quick strokes. This drawing lacks all the momentum, emotion, and grotesqueness of Szyk’s later political caricatures.  In 1919, Szyk published a book called Revolution in Germany. Many of the illustrations for Revolution bear stylistic similarities to this sketch, so it is possible that this represents a preparatory sketch for a final illustration that was either edited or thrown out altogether. It is unclear exactly what is happening in this piece: a group of men, perhaps dignitaries or political officials, stand together bearing a flag that reads: “Long Live the Emperor…Revolution.” The man on the right appears to be orating from a large piece of parchment, while the others listen solemnly with their top hats removed. Without more text or definite identities to assign the men, it is difficult to gauge Szyk’s intentions with this cartoon.

Provenance: Alexandra Szyk Bracie, daughter of Arthur Szyk.