George Grosz

The Hero

c. 1933

A sketch of a clown sitting down, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a hat in the other. The clown has a cheerful expression with a large smile and is wearing a baggy suit. Next to the clown is a small watering can with a flower sticking out of it. The drawing has a rough, expressive style with visible pencil strokes and shading.
A sketch of a clown sitting down, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a hat in the other. The clown has a cheerful expression with a large smile and is wearing a baggy suit. Next to the clown is a small watering can with a flower sticking out of it. The drawing has a rough, expressive style with visible pencil strokes and shading.

Not on view

Date
c. 1933

Classification
Prints

Medium
Lithograph

Dimensions
Sheet (Irregular): 15 13/16 × 11 7/16in. (40.2 × 29.1 cm) Image: 12 5/8 × 8 3/4in. (32.1 × 22.2 cm)

Accession number
33.83.4

Edition
32/300

Publication
Printed by George C. Miller; published by Contemporary Print Group

Credit line
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase

Rights and reproductions
© Estate of George Grosz / Licensed by VAGA at Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

APIⓘ
artworks/4309

Part of a series:
The American Scene No. 1, 1933-1934
12 works

Vintage etching of a bustling harbor with boats and figures, against a backdrop of distant city buildings.
A black and white etching depicting a group of men on horseback accompanied by dogs, moving through a wooded area. The men appear to be on a hunt, with some holding rifles. The scene is rendered with detailed shading and textural contrasts, creating a sense of depth and movement. The artwork is signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Vintage illustration of a diverse group of caricatured people with an American flag in the background.
A black and white illustration depicting a scene inside a crowded barbershop with several customers and barbers. In the foreground, a customer is slumped over, seemingly asleep, while getting a haircut. The barber attending to him looks on with a bemused expression. In the background, other customers are being attended to, with one reading a newspaper. The room is lit by a hanging lamp, and there's a window with a barred security grid. The drawing style is exaggerated and cartoonish, with strong lines and shading to emphasize the characters and setting.
A black and white lithograph depicting a dramatic scene with three figures. On the left, a man in a suit and hat appears stern, holding a baton. In the center, a woman with flowing hair and a determined expression is striding forward, her arm outstretched. To the right, another man in a hat and coat is seen in profile, looking ahead. Behind them, a banner reads "WORK OR BREAD." The artwork conveys a sense of urgency and protest. The artist's signature and the year '34 are visible at the bottom right, and the phrase "THE LORD PROVIDES" is at the bottom left.
Sketch of a desolate street with people sitting by a wall, a cloudy sky above, and a distant building with a sign.
Vintage caricature of high society men and women in formal attire with exaggerated features.
Vintage illustration of workers striking, with one holding a sign, amidst industrial smokestacks.
A black and white lithograph depicting a dynamic figure in a spider-like pose with multiple limbs extended, set against a backdrop of abstract forms and textures that suggest a chaotic environment. The artwork is signed by the artist at the bottom right.
A sketch of a clown sitting down, holding a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a hat in the other. The clown has a cheerful expression with a large smile and is wearing a baggy suit. Next to the clown is a small watering can with a flower sticking out of it. The drawing has a rough, expressive style with visible pencil strokes and shading.

George Grosz
8 works in the collection, 28 exhibitions

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