Art Explained by a Writer - Eclipse of the Sun

Even a big man needs a big brother to tell him how to handle it.

The rich man stroked his fat belly with satisfaction. He'd just had an extensive dinner. It was a wonder the cook hadn't put him on a spit since his appearance had a lot in common with the pig he had just eaten. He burped contentedly and took some more sips of wine. The most important thing was yet to come. Gentlemen, democracy is at stake. You of all know what I mean. This is about the discontent of the people. We must expand to accommodate everyone. The neighbours are inferior, let the export begin. The man from the accounting office studied the graph. The income looked positive. The other four nodded in agreement. Lord Swine was right, happiness had to be forced just like trade. Turning off the tap, stopping the flow of goods. Some dynamite and sword fights always had been good for fulfilling desires. There was no arguing about the usefulness of War and Peace Everyone knew that peace was only incidental and temporary. A period of rest to then replenish the personal bank account. Do we agree? Swine asked. He intended to settle the matter as quickly as possible. His superiors from overseas had not only increased his belly, fortune and power but also his bank account. He grunted contentedly at the thought of the promised land. Gross looked doubtful, the plan was grand, not impossible but inhumane. It was not difficult to predict the outcome. The client would play dumb at first, next the lifesaver while they were declared guilty. He saw dollar signs everywhere, even in the sun and moon. I would... Before he could finish his sentence he was shot. Motionless he laid on the ground. After two weeks there was still no agreement and a decisive vote was missing. I will present that donkey of a moneylender, he does not ask the how, what, why and for what, thought Swine. The dumb Gold-Ass had blinders on and was only fixated on creating more money.

Eclipse of the Sun (1926) - George Grosz

The foursome sat reluctantly at the table. You have been warned, said the mighty man. He burped contentedly. With the knife to the throat, the world looked a lot brighter. Without batting an eyelid, he showed off his versatile arsenal to reinforce the decision. After all, a democratic move could only be won if everyone was convinced. There is no majority, one ventured to say. Before he could count to three his head was separated from his torso. One by one the heads rolled. Swine grunted. Men with brains weren't needed in positions like these.

Everyone agrees it's unanimous, said Swine when the man of honour in full regalia, - who had never seen a battlefield - decorated with laurel wreath and awards, marched into the room. Gold-Ass, the donkey, uh I mean our financier is present, he whispered in man's ear. The code word is _Bricklebrit_! He made the man drink a few extra glasses of wine to celebrate the happy occasion, the guy's downfall and the end of his agony. It was high time to make the final decision. Everyone is in favour, so..., he gasped in the ear of the drunken commander who surrendered without a fight and signed the paper.

-The meeting went smoothly/and everyone voted in favour. On to a better future. Long live the people, the newspaper headlined. It promised to be a profitable battle.-

Note: Groß (German meaning big/huge) = Grosz = Gross