| Place | Europe: United Kingdom, England, Greater London, London |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | ART91571 |
| Collection type | Art |
| Measurement | Overall: 48 x 39.6 cm |
| Object type | Work on paper |
| Physical description | pen and ink, brush and ink on paper |
| Maker |
Purves Smith, Peter |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | 1940 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
The drunks [War profiteers]
Description
Satirical depiction of two men's joviality at their success in deceit, having taken advantage of the war situation to make money. The alternative title 'Drunks' describes their celebratory mode. The two men, one tall and thin wearing a bowler hat; the other short and fat, his head shrunken into his neck, his hand reaching inside his coat for his wallet, and with hat in hand, are seen walking quickly along. They make a ridiculous pair. With their hats, the figures are reminiscent of those in Purves Smith's notable 1939-40 painting 'The diplomats', held in the National Gallery of Australia, another satirical work making fun of the leaders that make decisions about war. The figures in both paintings provide a sense of the sinister aspects of the Second World War, and show an unusual aspect of the impact of war on society, one that is rarely portrayed.