First of all, what a great name. He could be a character in a novel by Thomas Pynchon or T. Coraghessan Boyle. But instead Stuyvesant Van Veen (1910-1988) is the name of a vital American artist of social conscience, and one who deserves greater attention. A painter, muralist, satirist, and illustrator, he employed his well-honed graphic talents most powerfully during the 1930s.
Searching Google uncovers only bits and pieces of his legacy: a cursory NY Times obit found here; his 1932 depiction of the folly of war here; a 1937 photo of Van Veen working on a U.S. Courthouse mural in Pittsburgh here; a profile of his work during World War II (Van Veen served as Sgt. in the Army) creating a mural at what is now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, here (second photo of 24).
Recently I won an eBay auction of a drawing Van Veen created in 1937 for publication in the radical monthly, The New Masses. (I was the only bidder.) The image of looming military threat — literally from over the horizon — was common in political cartoons of that era:
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Now comes the fun part — researching the history and meaning of the piece. I’ve got to find a set of New Masses from 1937 to see if in fact the drawing was reproduced there. Was it used to illustrate an article? On what subject? What’s the meaning of the title, “Silk Stockings are Bayonets”? Does the image depict a specific episode of fascist aggression — somewhere in Europe or Asia? Why did Van Veen make the drawing so large (it’s 29 x 20 inches)? Was that the standard size New Masses required its illustrators to submit for purposes of reproduction? Or did Van Veen intend the drawing for public display separate and apart from its magazine appearance?
I will update this post when answers are found.
UPDATE (09-26-2010). Adam McIntosh posted a comment explaining the title and historical context: “The title “Silk Stockings are Bayonets” is a reference to the fact that the silk used in the making of stockings in the 1930s was imported from Japan. Thus implying the buying of silk stockings was funding the Japanese war of aggression in China. Besides the title, if you look at the soldier, despite the dehumanizing vagueness of the depiction, his gear, especially the helmet, is unmistakably that of the Imperial Japanese Army.” My thanks go to Mr. McIntosh. With his information about the Second Sino-Japanese War that broke out in 1937, and with a little help from Google, I found a photograph in which”New York ladies parade with non-silk stockings to support the boycott on Japanese goods”:
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Tags: 1937, drawing, mural, Silk Stockings are Bayonets, Stuyvesant Van Veen, T. Coraghessan Boyle, The New Masses, Thomas Pynchon, WPA
The title “Silk Stockings are Bayonets” is a reference to the fact that the silk used in the making of stockings in the 1930s was imported from Japan. Thus implying the buying of silk stockings was funding the Japanese war of aggression in China. Besides the title, if you look at the soldier, despite the dehumanizing vagueness of the depiction, his gear, especially the helmet, is unmistakably that of the Imperial Japanese Army.
Adam,
Thank you kindly for explaining the title.
Mike
Just acquired 2 Van Veen unique drawings, less focussed on the political, but depicting the figurative form. A musician with either a guitar or mandolin, and a male nude.
STEVE VAN VEEN WAS A GOOD FRIEND OF MY FAMILY. I HAVE TWO PAINTINGS IN MY HOUSE , TWO OF HIS WORKS THAT I GREW UP WITH AS A BOY. I WONDER IF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS ARE STILL IN THE AREA. I HAVEN’T HEARD FROM HIS DAUGHTER IN MANY YEARS.
I am Stuyvesant’s first cousin once removed. I have never heard him called “Steve.” I have visited his parents home off the Columbia University campus at 116th Street with my father. There are members (cousins only) of his family in Manhattan. Recently, Ricky van Veen moved from Baltimore, MD.
I am a relative of Stuyvesant Van Veen. My name is Roy Sletson.
Not exactly sure how I’m related. My Mom’s maiden name was Van Veen. Her father was Jay Van Veen. My Mom was born in 1932. In her papers I found information on Stuyvesant.
I’d like to have a painting of Stuyvesant’s. I’m a working class stiff, just thought I’d like to have some rememberence.
Any ideas for me?
Roy 814-571-5761
Roy,
Try searching for the name of the artist on Google Images — that might lead you to galleries that have his works in their inventory for sale. Also. to find paintings by Stuyvesant Van Veen for sale at auction, my advice is to periodically search online on two sites — liveauctioneers.com and artfact.com. Both of those sites keep track of upcoming auctions, and once you sign up you can ask to be alerted whenever any paintings by the artist are listed in an upcoming auction. You can use their Search boxes to find works sold in the past, and their prices.
Good luck,
Mike
we have a water color by van veen dated 1931.entitled from manhattan bridge.it has been in my husbands family since the 40’s.. it seems my father collected a lot of art students league paintings. including liberte,di gioa and a few others..
I actually have a WWII Propaganda Poster By Stuyvesant Van Veen Titled A “Pull” for Hitler Dated 1942 and is one that I cannot seem to find an example of anywhere, but is one of his best pieces I think! I think this example may be one of the only ones to survive and so far I cannot even confirm if Mr. Van Veen had kept a copy for his portfolio. Had more copies of this poster been distributed and survived then I am sure He would be much more well known.
I have a large oil painting of Assisi at Sunset, which I have just had reframed. I knew Stuyvesant, as he was my partner’s uncle and I visited him and Felicia often, in NY and upstate. Most of the really large murals in the apartment were surreal. The painting I have is impressionistic, very dark red of the cathedral with some black-robed monks walking by (small figures) . The cathedral looms over them, while a brilliant sun and its shining in back heightens the shadows. I used to have a lot of drawings from the murals, but I gave them to other family members.
I was able to acquire two portfolios of artwork / drawings and figurative sketches of art work from Stuyvesant van Venn.. the items date from 1927 to 1978 ..motions of the handshake is one i remember off the top of my head , i have researched as well and found mostly the same things you have in your blog .. however i am certain i have items that no one else besides family members have ..i have years of Christmas cards he illustrated and sent out to family members ,Friends and colleagues. i had my items looked at by a shady dealer/auction house …he said not much value.so i put them aside ..wondering if any are interested in viewing or purchasing such objects… i would upload pictures but i am not seeing that option here James U
Roy, since your mom and Stuyvesant were 2nd cousins- you are his second cousin once removed. (Think I have that right.) I am his first cousin once removed. My brother actually spent some time with Stuyvesant.
Tommy
JimmyJames – are you a family member?