The Friar. The Canterbury Tales. New York, 1945.

SZYK, Arthur. The Friar. The Canterbury Tales. Signed and Dated “Arthur Szyk, N.Y. 1945”. Watercolor and gouache on paper. Sheet size: 6 3/4″ x 5″. Image size: 6 3/8″ x 3 5/8″. Very Good condition.

One of Szyk’s most beloved, well remembered works is that of The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, published by The Limited Editions Club in 1946.

Szyk captures just the right tone of mock solemnity on the face of the very lively Friar who by possession of his harp and flask gives fair warning of just how merry he really is while his hands are folded in bogus prayer. The masterful treatment of the Friar’s long flowing robe is evidence of Szyk’s early work in costume design for the theatre and stage.

Excerpt from The Prologue of The Canterbury Tales:

“There was a Friar, a wonton and a merry,
Licensed to beg — a gay, important fellow.
In all four orders no man was so mellow
With talk and dalliance. He had brought to pass
The marrying of many a buxom lass,
Paying himself the priest and the recorder:
He was a noble pillar to his order!
He was familiar too and well-beloved
By all the franklins everywhere he moved
And by good women of the town withal,
For he had special powers confessional
As he himself would let folk understand:
He had been licensed by the Pope’s own hand!
Full sweetly would he listen to confession,
And very pleasantly absolved transgression…”

Provenance: Parke Bernet Sale, New York, Mrs. Arthur Szyk, Nov. 24, 1961. Lot 44.

Exhibition History: M. Knoedler & Company, Inc., New York, August 26–September 13, 1946; The Polish Arts Club, The Butler Institute, Youngstown, Ohio, February 2–23, 1947; The Jewish Museum, New York, October 24–December 4, 1952; Laing Galleries, Toronto, January 9–30, 1954; Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Palace of the Legion of Honor, December 4, 2010–March 27, 2011.

Publishing History: The Canterbury Tales. New York: The Limited Editions Club, 1946.

Literature: Parke Bernet Auction catalogue (New York, Mrs. Arthur Szyk, Nov. 24, 1961) “Robust figure turned to half-right with his hands clasped in prayer, an expression of mock piety on his face; he wears a green-lined black habit and carries a crook, a harp and a flask.”