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Satirical cartoon on poverty, WW1
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Satirical cartoon on poverty, WW1
A satirical cartoon by the German artist George Grosz, showing three people living in a slum. An elderly woman sits on a chair, a young boy is slumped at the table, and an invalid (or possibly even a dead body) lies in the bed. The caption (in German), a quotation from the poet Rilke, reads: Poverty is a great splendour from within. Date: 1914-1918
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Media ID 7194423
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Body Dead Elderly Invalid Living Lying Satire Satirical Slum Slumped Grosz
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In this poignant and satirical cartoon by German artist George Grosz, entitled 'Poverty is a great splendour from within' (1914-1918), we witness a bleak and desolate scene of poverty in the midst of the chaos and turmoil of World War I. The room is cramped and dingy, with an elderly woman sitting dejectedly in a worn-out chair, her face etched with the lines of age and hardship. A young boy, slumped over a table, appears to be lost in thought or perhaps even asleep, oblivious to the harsh realities of his surroundings. In the background, an invalid or possibly even a dead body lies unmoving in a bed, a stark reminder of the devastating effects of poverty. The quote inscribed in the caption, 'Poverty is a great splendour from within,' is a poignant and thought-provoking commentary on the human condition. This quotation, penned by the renowned German poet Rilke, challenges our perceptions of poverty and invites us to see it not as a shameful or degrading state, but rather as a profound and even noble experience. The cartoon, with its raw and unflinching depiction of poverty, serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to find beauty and meaning in even the most challenging circumstances. Grosz's masterful use of line, form, and color conveys a sense of despair and hopelessness, yet also a deep sense of empathy and compassion for the human condition. This powerful and thought-provoking work of art is a testament to the enduring power of satire as a tool for social commentary and political critique.
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