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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
5296717
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
The Big Walk
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Theme
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
31 x 29 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1961
Country
Language
Details
Original South African political cartoon in pen/brush and ink on Schoellershammer drawing board, 1961, shows South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd leaving the ‘Commonwealth club’. Verwoerd attended the 1961 Commonwealth conference to give formal notice that his country was to become a republic in May 1961 and to request continued membership of the British Commonwealth. Because of South Africa's apartheid policies the country’s application was opposed by many of the Commonwealth leaders, e.g. the African states under black majority rule. Once it became clear that South Africa's ‘membership application’ would be rejected, Verwoerd withdrew his country's application and left the conference. The apparent goose-step may or may not be significant. The drawing features South Africa's 'Little Man' standing in the background, looking rather sick - he was a regular feature of Connolly's cartoons. Board size 31 x 29 cm, image size 26.5 x 25.5 cm. Caption in the top border in ink and signed bottom right. Excellent condition.