Photo by Bill Hanse n
Congress, Washington, D.C.; and the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New
York City.
Washington and His Times, a series
of 38 miniatures of the American
Revolution, was purchased in 1931
by President Moscicki of Poland and
presented to President Franklin
Roosevelt. The miniatures are current-
ly found in the FDR Library in Hyde
Park, N.Y.
"Szyk realized at a time of war and -
call to action, one can't just sit idly
by," Rabbi Ungar said. "I hope
Spertus visitors can enjoy the images
of his art for their beauty and also
realize there is a message behind them
that can apply to our own lives."
A Local Collector
ack H. Shwartz was intro-
duced to the artwork of
Arthur Szyk 10 years ago,
and in the time since, he has
Rabbi Irwin
become a very active devotee.
Ungar is guest
Schwartz's interest was piqued by
curator of the Szyk
a copy of a Szyk illustration shown
exhibit at
at a meeting of Israeli coin collec-
Chicago's Spertus
tors. It would become the first of his
Museum.
numerous purchases/
Over the past
decade, the retired
furniture store manag-
er has filled 20 loose-
leaf binders with
copies of the artist's
most prized works —
prints, lithographs and
"Justice Illuminated: The Art of
cartoons. He also
Arthur Szyk" runs Aug. 16-Feb.
keeps articles about
28, 1999, at Spertus Museum, 618
the man behind the
South Michigan Ave., Chicago.
artistry.
On opening day, there will be a
In the hobby room
reception at 1:15 p.m. and a pro-
of his Oak Park home,
gram with curator Irvin Ungar at
Schwartz has one Szyk
2 p.m. (312) 322-1747. In con-
item of large value, a
junction with the Spertus Museum
book illustrated by the
exhibition, the first illustrated
artist. Although its
book about Arthur Szyk will be
price has grown to
published. For more information
almost $1,000,
"Humpy
Dumpy,"
illustration
from
a
children's
book
of
about the works of Arthur Szyk or
Schwartz will not sell.
nursery rhymes, 1947, watercolor and gouache, collection
to reserve a copy of the deluxe edi-
"I'm not generally a
of Alexandra Bracie.
tion of "Justice Illuminated; The
lover of art, but I'm
Art of Arthur Szyk," contact
Jack Schwartz with a
amazed how that man was able to
Historicana at (650) 343-9578 or
small part of his Szyk
create detail and how diversified he
visit the Web site at www.szyk.com
collection.
was," said Schwartz, 76, a board
_
-
member of the national Arthur Szyk
Society
S memorabilia add one
111 - The Szyk
irinore dimension to Schwartz's fasci-
nation with Judaica as seen in his
extensive collections, which include
synagogue photos, Israeli stamps,
ceremonial objects and articles about
Jewish military chaplains.
"I like to do research and go
behind the scenes," said Schwartz,
who corresponds with other Szyk
enthusiasts and keeps in touch with
four collectors in the area.
Schwartz, a member of Beth
Shalom Synagogue, does not display
any of the items he has amassed.
They are arranged in file cabinets to
be available for his personal refer
Black and white GIs, "And what
ence.
would you do with Hitler?" 1944,
Photo by Tom Nowak
"My collections take up about 50
pen and ink, collection of Anthony
"Save Human Lives," 1944, collection
percent of my time," said Schwartz,
John Mourek.
of Irvin Ungar. Distributed by the
whose appreciation of the artist's
Emergency Committee to Save the
work is shared by his wife of 52
While America fought hate and injustice abroad during World War II, it neglected
Jewish People of Europe, these stamps
against
prejudice
12p
years, Ida.
the fight against racism and bigotry at home. But Szyk stands
were designed to create public awareness
— Suzanne Chessler
❑
as seen in this revealing picture. Walking side by side, a white soldier asks a black
soldier, "And what would you do with Hitler?" The black soldier responds, "I would
have made him a Negro and dropped him somewhere in the USA."
of the Emergency Committee to Save
European Jews.
8/7
1998
Detroit Jewish News
79