Mussolini’s probleem 

• 1939 
• Mervada, J. (Mertens, Jos) 
• Drawing 
• Historical item 

6738053

Drawings / paintings

Mussolini’s probleem

42 x 32 cm

1939

Original political cartoon on paper in pen/brush and ink, 1939, published in De Indische Post, shows the Italian Duce Mussolini pondering his next move on a chessboard with pieces representing the European leaders: Hitler of Germany, Stalin of Russia, Chamberlain of Britain and Daladier of France, with the flags of these countries forming the backdrop to the great game. The caption below ‘De denkende Duce: Als ik nu spelen moet, welke partij kan ik dan ‘t beste kiezen?’ (The pensive Duce: if I have to play now, which side can I best choose?) points out Mussolini’s dilemma. If, or rather when, war broke out, on which side might Italy join the war? Although officially allied with Germany in the ‘Pact of Steel’ of 1939, this would not have prevented Mussolini taking Italy into the war on the other side if it suited him, exactly as had happened in the First World War. In the event he waited until Germany had defeated France in 1940 before coming in on the side of Germany. Paper size 42 x 32 cm, image size 38 x 28 cm, signed lower right with captions in pencil in upper and lower borders. Written in pencil on verso are a number of alternative titles, such as ‘Who has the best chances’, ‘with which colour can I best play?’and also ‘After use please return to Geo van Dam, Leidscheweg 184, Voorschoten’. Mertens was a strong draughts player, as was van Dam, and the two were clearly known to each other. The cartoon has been folded into four at some point, otherwise in good condition.