German School, 20th Century

Portrait of an Italian Submariner

Graphite and chalk on paper

Signed, dated, and inscribed  to lower right R Liebhart / 1943 / MPK [Marine-Propaganda-Kompanien]

Visible 18 in. x 24 1/8 in., matted and framed to 26 7/16 in. x 32 1/2 in.

Sketched in pencil and highlighted in white is the three-quarter likeness of a young sailor, dressed in uniform and staring off to the side of the viewer. He bears a patch of dolphin insignia on his right arm, indicating his association with submariners, and his hat is embroidered "Sommergibile," the Italian word for submarine.

Other works by the unidentified German artist R. Liebhart indicate that he was associated with the German Marine Propaganda Kompanien during World War II. The MPK, under the oversight of the Wehrmacht and Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda, was tasked with creating wartime media that promoted positive perceptions of Nazi forces and their allies among the German populace. Comparable propaganda drawings by Liebahrt depict scenes from military life, such as sailors or soldiers, utilizing media like charcoal and red chalk

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio. 

[Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera] [World War II, WWII, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adolf Hitler, Allied, Axis, George S. Patton, Air Force]