Pax Vobiscum - Max Slevogt

A 1916 lithograph by Max Slevogt, this political satire offers a sharp, gestural commentary on the social climate of the First World War.

This lithograph, titled Pax Vobiscum, appeared in the fifth issue of the periodical Bildermann on 5 June 1916. Max Slevogt, a central figure in German Impressionism, produced this work during the First World War. The image functions as a biting political commentary, using the visual language of caricature to address the climate of the era. The composition features a figure in ecclesiastical robes, positioned on the left, interacting with a group of children mounted upon a rocking horse. The title, Latin for 'peace be with you', contrasts sharply with the chaotic energy of the scene. Slevogt employs a loose, gestural line quality that captures movement and tension. The figures are rendered with expressive, dark strokes, typical of his graphic work from this period. Below the rocking horse, a crowd of onlookers observes the interaction, their faces sketched with minimal detail yet distinct character. Slevogt was known for his ability to capture the immediacy of a moment through fluid draughtsmanship. In this print, he avoids rigid structure, opting instead for a dynamic arrangement that draws the eye across the frame. The work reflects the artist's engagement with the social and political upheavals of early twentieth-century Germany. By juxtaposing religious authority with the playfulness of children, Slevogt invites the viewer to consider the irony inherent in the title. The print remains a clear example of the artist's skill in combining narrative depth with a spontaneous, sketch-like aesthetic. It provides a window into the artistic response to the conflict of 1916, demonstrating how print media circulated critical perspectives during the war years.