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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
5174815
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
G. Don Quixote Shaw, the pen is mightier than the sword
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
59 x 38 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1914
Country
Language
Details
Original brush and ink editorial cartoon drawing on art card, 1914, published in the New York Sun, shows George Bernard Shaw, Irish author and playwright, as a kind of modern Don Quixote out to right wrongs and bring justice to the world. Shaw was vehemently opposed to the war, published many newspaper and magazine articles against it and made numerous speeches condemning it. His essay ‘Commonsense about the War’, published on 24 November 1914, caused great controversy and led to him being shunned by the theatrical world and his works being removed from bookshops. He is shown surrounded by other of his works: ‘War: How to Settle It’, ‘Letter to Wilson’, ‘Candida’ and, perhaps more sarcastically, ‘Other Clever Things’. The feather quill he is holding represents his idea that the pen is mightier than the sword, but could also represent the white feather (for cowardice). Card size 59 x 38 cm (23 x 14.5 inch), image size 46 x 33 cm, signed bottom right. Various printing instructions in bottom margin. In overall good condition.