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Photo, Print, Drawing John D. Rockefeller Senior versus Josef Stalin

[ digital file from original ]

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[ digital file from color film copy transparency ]

Full online access to this resource is only available at the Library of Congress.

[ digital file from b&w film copy neg. ]

Full online access to this resource is only available at the Library of Congress.

About this Item

Title

  • John D. Rockefeller Senior versus Josef Stalin

Summary

  • Number 5 in the series "Impossible Interviews" shows American oil magnate, John D. Rockefeller, handing a dime to Russian dictator Joseph Stalin. In the background is an urban industrial complex with large smokestacks and skyscrapers.

Names

  • Covarrubias, Miguel, 1904-1957, artist

Created / Published

  • 1932 Apr. [publication date]

Headings

  • -  Rockefeller, John D.--(John Davison),--1839-1937
  • -  Stalin, Joseph,--1878-1953
  • -  Industrialization--1930-1940

Headings

  • Caricatures--American--1930-1940.
  • Drawings--American--Color--1930-1940.
  • Editorial cartoons--American--1930-1940.
  • Periodical illustrations--American--1930-1940.

Genre

  • Caricatures--American--1930-1940
  • Drawings--American--Color--1930-1940
  • Editorial cartoons--American--1930-1940
  • Periodical illustrations--American--1930-1940

Notes

  • -  Inscribed in pencil below image: Stalin and Rockefeller.
  • -  No copyright information found with item.
  • -  Signed, lower right: Covarrubias.
  • -  The dialogue in the published version reads: John D.: I never thought that even I would live to see Russia turn into a commune. Dear, dear! All that iron and steel and oil, crying out for intelligent exploitation. And nobody profiting a bit by it. Stalin: The people profit. John D.: The people? Oh, yes. Of course they profit--afterwards. Stalin: Afterwards? John D.: After decent intervals of character-building deprivation, during which industrial leaders prepare lovely periods of progress and prosperity for them. Stalin: Now that sounds like my five-year plan. John D.: (delighted) It does? (peering at him) Do you run this plan? (Stalin nods) Can the people still take it? Stalin: Take it from me, they take it. John D.: Well, well. (drops a dime in Stalin's outstretched hand) Thank heavens, dear boy, you've restored my faith in human nature.
  • -  Caption label from exhibit of digital copy in "Swann Gallery": Impossible Interviews. Mexican-born artist Miguel Covarrubias pairs the aging capitalist John D. Rockefeller, Sr. (1839-1937), with the communist leader Josef Stalin (1878-1953). Covarrubias portrays the men as captains of industry in one of his "Impossible Interviews," his celebrated series in Vanity Fair that featured well known public figures who would never be seen together in real life. A master caricaturist, Covarrubias boldly distorts the outer appearances of his subjects as a means of suggesting inner traits of character.
  • -  Bequest and gift; Caroline and Erwin Swann; 1974; (DLC/PP-1974:232.1649)
  • -  Forms part of: Caroline and Erwin Swann collection of caricature and cartoon (Library of Congress).
  • -  Published in: Vanity Fair (New York), April, 1932.
  • -  Exhibited: Cartoonists Guild, "The Art in Cartooning," 1975; Library of Congress, "They Made Them Laugh and Wince and Worry," 1977-82; National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., "Miguel Covarrubias Caricatures," 1985.
  • -  Exhibited: "Genio Mexicano : The Exceptional Genius of Miguel Covarrubias (1904-1957)" at The San Antonio Museum of Art, San Antonio, TX, July - October 2015.
  • -  Exhibited: "Miguel Covarrubias, a look without boundaries" at the Palacio de Cultura Citibanamex. Palacio de Iturbide, Francisco I. Madero 17 - Piso 2, Colonia Centro, Alcaldía, Cuauhtémoc, Ciudad De México, 06000, México, March - September 2025.

Medium

  • 1 drawing : gouache on white watercolor stock ; 42.6 x 35.2 cm. (sheet)

Call Number/Physical Location

  • SWANN - no. 928

Source Collection

  • Caroline and Erwin Swann collection of caricature & cartoon (Library of Congress)

Repository

Digital Id

  • ppmsca 10858 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/ppmsca.10858
  • cph 3g06111 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3g06111
  • cph 3b10471 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3b10471

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2009616484

Reproduction Number

  • LC-DIG-ppmsca-10858 (digital file from original)
  • LC-USZC4-6111 (color film copy transparency)
  • LC-USZ62-62832 (b&w film copy neg.)

Rights Advisory

Online Format

  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

Rights & Access

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For information about reproducing, publishing, and citing material from this collection, as well as access to the original items, see: Caroline and Erwin Swann Collection of Caricature and Cartoon - Rights and Restrictions Information

  • Rights Advisory: Publication may be restricted. For information see "Miguel Covarrubias," https://www.loc.gov/rr/print/res/253_cov.html
  • Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-10858 (digital file from original) LC-USZC4-6111 (color film copy transparency) LC-USZ62-62832 (b&w film copy neg.)
  • Call Number: SWANN - no. 928
  • Access Advisory: ---

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Covarrubias, Miguel, Artist. John D. Rockefeller Senior versus Josef Stalin. , 1932. [Apr. publication date] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2009616484/.

APA citation style:

Covarrubias, M. (1932) John D. Rockefeller Senior versus Josef Stalin. , 1932. [Apr. publication date] [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2009616484/.

MLA citation style:

Covarrubias, Miguel, Artist. John D. Rockefeller Senior versus Josef Stalin. [Apr. publication date] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2009616484/>.