The artwork titled “Cover of Garm No. 10,” created by Tove Jansson in 1938, is a notable example of the Expressionism art movement and belongs to the genre of illustration.
The artwork depicts a satirical scene where various figures, representing different nations and political leaders of the time, are engaged in an absurd distribution of cake slices symbolizing territories and political influence. At the center, a caricature of a distressed figure, recognizable by the swastika armband, cries out for more cake, evidently representing a historical political figure and his insatiable appetite for power and conquest. Surrounding this central figure are other characters, each holding differently labeled cakes representing regions such as “Polska Korridoren,” “Elsass Lothringen,” and “Holland Koloniën,” among others. The composition employs a limited color palette with strategic use of red to emphasize key elements like the title “Garm,” the swastika, and some text, creating a poignant and visually striking commentary on the political climate of the era.
