01 Work, The Art of War, George Grosz's Eclipse of the Sun, 1926, with footnotes

George Grosz

Eclipse of the Sun, c. 1926

Oil on canvas

Museum Purchase

The Heckscher Museum of Art 

Eclipse of the Sun is a masterpiece of political art. As signaled by the dollar sign darkening the sun, a symbol of life, the artwork critiques the greed and violence of the military, politicians, and industrialists. The tilted perspective, dissonant color, and ambiguous sense of space underscore the instability of period following a war.

Grosz depicts mindless bureaucrats in a grim setting surrounding the decorated general Paul von Hindenburg, who was Field Marshall during World War I, served as second president of the Weimar Republic, and later named Adolf Hitler chancellor in 1933. An industrialist carrying weapons whispers in Hindenburg’s ear. A donkey representing the German people stands near a bloody sword and listens with big ears, yet wears blinders of ignorance. Confined and stepped on, the fearful face of a youth juxtaposed with a skeleton warns of the fate of future generations. More on this painting

George Grosz, American, born Germany. 1893–1959, was a painter, draftsman, printmaker known for pointed political satire and social criticism. Early work, from about 1914 to 1917, shows influence of Expressionism and Futurism, as well as caricature. Volunteered for war in 1914; discharged in 1915 after a sinus operation. Recalled in January 1917; suffered nervous breakdown, declared unfit for military service. In 1916 adopted American spelling of his first name and de-Germanized his last name. Joined Communist Party in 1918, although became disillusioned after 1922 trip to Soviet Union. Experience of war fueled aversion for German militarism and philistinism. As member of Berlin Dada from 1918 to 1920, created mordantly satirical collages. In 1920s style became more naturalistic in caustic, caricatured studies of corrupt officers, war profiteers, exploitative industrialists, and prostitutes.

Most of his prints were photolithographs after drawings; was uninterested in printmaking techniques, but wanted work distributed to large audiences. Published eight portfolios, fifteen illustrated books, and about 120 single prints, many with Malik-Verlag between 1917 and 1928. Ran afoul of censorship laws three times in 1920s with his print portfolios, including God with Us, which was seized from First International Dada Fair in 1920.

Emigrated to New York in 1933. Declared an “enemy of the state” by Nazis, who confiscated his works in German museums; some destroyed. One month before his death in 1959, returned to Berlin. More on George Grosz

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