1940.09.28 “Tripartate”
by Abe Birnbaum (1899-1966)
11 x 18 in., crayon on textured paper
Coppola Collection
Abe Birnbaum is best known for his prolific work with The New Yorker magazine. He painted nearly 200 covers for the magazine from the 1940's through the 1970's. He also illustrated approximately 500 black-and-white drawings and paintings for the interior of the magazine from the 1930's through the 1970's. Birnbaum's work with The New Yorkercaptured the mood of the day, including special and mundane moments of the lives of the upper and middle classes, both in the big city and the country. His art and point of view were carefree, simple and reflective of the times.
The Tripartite Pact, also known as the Berlin Pact, was the formal defensive military alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan signed in Berlin on 27 September 27, 1940, codifying the partnership among the Axis powers.
Ribbentrop, in a speech following the signing, stated “The purpose of the Pact is, above all things, to help restore peace to the world as quickly as possible. Therefore, any other State which wishes to accede to this bloc (der diesem Block beitreten will), with the intention of contributing to the restoration of peaceful conditions, will be sincerely and gratefully made welcome and will participate in the economic and political reorganization.”
Birnbaum reflects the Napoleonic tendencies of Hitler, with the subordinate lurking of the buzzing annoyance of Mussolini and the Japanese snake in the grass.
