Signed Ink Drawing

Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist with the "Chicago Tribune" (1903-45). Signed ink drawing, 14¼" X 18½", n.p., n.d. [ca. World War One]. Very good. Slightest bit of edgewear and mild soiling. Labeled "They've Changed Their Tune" by McCutcheon along the lower margin, this two-panel cartoon concerns the volatile German military situation. The upper panel, labeled "Before the War," depicts a suited man (labeled "German Socialists") at left, presumably a politician addressing the legislature, raising his arm and proclaiming, "These war preparations must end!" Three military figures stand at right in the foreground, clutching their fists and glaring angrily at the speaker. The leftmost of them (labeled "Prussian Autocracy") grumbles, "He's becoming a menace to us!" Next to him stands "Militarism" and "Hohenzollerns." The lower panel, labeled "Now," shows the same "German Socialists" figure front and center foreground, a scroll under his arm labeled "Peace Proposal to Russian Socialists" and a picket sign he clutches reading "This War Must End!" He stares angrily at the same three military figures at the right, who now appear worried and apologetic, holding their hats politely in their hands. "Prussian Autocracy" says to him, "You are our hope" and Militarism" adds "--our salvation." At left stands a crowd of civilians, labeled "German People," who reach out desperately and implore, "We want peace!" Handsomely accomplished and typically provocative, a fine example of McCutcheon's artistic prowess and delight in exposing hypocrisy. Signed simply "McCutcheon" at lower right, as usual.