Sinbad’s Seventh Voyage. The Arabian Nights Entertainments. New Canaan, 1948.

SZYK, Arthur. Sinbad’s Seventh Voyage The Arabian Nights Entertainments. Signed and Dated “Arthur Szyk, New Canaan, 1948.” Watercolor and gouache on paper. Image size 5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″. Signature and date faded. Good condition.

The tales of the Arabian Nights are comprised of sixty-five stories told by Sharazade the Sultaness to divert Shahryar the Sultan from the execution of a vow he had made to avenge the disloyalty of his first Sultaness. The canny Sharazade spun her tales each evening with such skill and timing that her husband could not bear to kill her and thus lose such a splendid entertainer.

In this “Sixteenth Entertainment” Sinbad tells his final story. He has wearied of his many journeys and wishes only to retire in comfort in Baghdad, yet his Caliph begs one last voyage from the fabled sailor. Off he sails to another distant land only to be beset by robbers and killers and sold into bondage to a master who makes him hunt elephants. Sinbad’s legendary survivor skills hold true and he lives (and prospers) to tell the tale at home once again.

In this image, Szyk presents a reluctant Sinbad as he is forced to board yet another ship and embark on the dangerous mission.

Exhibition History: Jewish Museum, New York, 1952; Laing Galleries, Toronto, 1954.

Publishing History: The Arabian Nights Entertainments, translated by Sir Richard Burton with 60 illustrations by Arthur Szyk. The Limited Editions Club, Ipswich, 1954. Four volumes featuring the present illustration facing page 145.