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Catalogue information
LastDodo number
5882645
Area
Drawings / paintings
Title
Never a lousy criticism!
Artist
Art object
Art Movement / style
Genre
Material
Technique used
Colouring
Dimensions
56 x 38 cm
Series / hero
Collection / set
Number
Addition to number
Year
1950
Country
Language
Details
Original editorial cartoon on card in ink and crayon for the New York Daily Mirror, 1950, shows Dean Acheson kneeling in front of a portrait of president Harry Truman and singing the words ‘I’ll get by, as long as I - have - you-! (a popular song recorded by Billie Holiday and many others). Acheson was secretary of state in the Truman administration between January 1949 and January 1953, and exerted significant influence on US foreign policy during his tenure. Acheson, the silky Groton-Yale product with his British moustache and cultivated disdain, was nothing like former haberdasher Truman, but played incessantly on Truman’s vanity, acting the courtier and knowing exactly how much kowtowing Truman would accept, so ‘never a lousy criticism’. The strategy was extremely successful and gave him huge influence on foreign affairs (he has been described as ‘de facto president for foreign affairs’). Card size 56 x 38 cm (22 x 15 inch), image size 42 x 28 cm, signed lower right. Dated December 11 1950 in pencil in lower border. Caption also written in pencil in lower border. In very good condition.