The Dictators 1942

"The Dictators" is a 1942 woodcut by Australian artist Hugh Mesibov (1916-2016). The artwork depicts a scene of stark black and white geometric shapes, suggestive of figures and objects in a chaotic environment. The composition is fragmented and the forms are stylized, conveying a sense of tension and unease. This work is characteristic of Mesibov's early style, which was influenced by Expressionism and Cubism. The subject matter reflects the political climate of the time, with the title alluding to the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe during World War II.