Fascism (2)

Date:  c.  1934-36

Medium: Woodcut

Dimensions (cm.): 14.3 x 12.1

Alternate titles: Fascismo 2; Fascismo II; Fachismo en acción

Published edition: 

1. Number of impressions unknown.

2. Reprinted in 1943 in portfolio 25 Prints of Leopoldo Méndez: 100 impressions in numbered portfolios, 50 of them on China paper (described as “special imported chinese stock”), plus 3 impressions in unnumbered portfolios. Each impression signed in graphite, lower right, and annotated 20, lower right corner of sheet. Sheet dimensions 24.4 x 19.2 cm.

Contemporary publication:

1. Revista Defensa roja

2.  Frente a Frente 4 (julio 1936), p.21 (article by Archiles Vela, “La exposición de artes plásticas de la LEAR”).

References: Méndez INBA 8; Included in Prignitz 402-426

Commentary: In Fascismo (2), Méndez continues the theme of Fascismo (1), portraying a member of the ARM attacking workers. One of the thugs, walks among the fallen bodies of unarmed workers in overalls. The most prominent of the demonstrators lies on a flag, his body partially covering a hammer and sickle. His own hammer lies on the ground beside him, a visual correlative to the incomplete symbol on the flag. In the background, two men with clubs are savagely beating a woman who puts her hands over her face in defense. (Deborah Caplow)

Catalogue record number: 34