Arthur Szyk, "La Muerte del Negro Primero"

I just recently got as a present this beautiful miniature by Arthur Szyk, titled "La Muerte del Negro Primero". Art is 4.25 x 5.75 in gouache and ink on board.

Arthur Szyk (1894 – 1951) was a Polish-Jewish artist.

Best known for his World War II anti-Nazi political art and his Passover Haggadah, 20th century artist Arthur Szyk single-handedly revived the medieval tradition of illumination.

A master of miniature painting and calligraphy, Szyk brought his unmistakable style to subjects as diverse as biblical stories, literary classics, and political caricature and cartoon. Many of his works were published as limited edition fine art books and as editorials in periodicals such as Collier’s, Esquire, TIME, and The New York Post. Other popular works, such as his celebrated Declaration of Independence of the United States, were reproduced and widely distributed as fine art prints.

A self-described “soldier in art,” Szyk was a committed activist-artist, advocating for religious tolerance and racial equality for minorities, especially for Jews and black Americans.

Learn more about Arthur Szyk here and here.