In his jewel-like miniature painting of the history of Switzerland, Arthur Szyk used an artistic style which had been popular more than 400 years before his birth...illumination.
Blended into this print are the flags of the 22 cantons, or states, which historically formed Switzerland. The symbol of each canton is also portrayed on the print in a mustard color. The cantons form a unique confederation which retains necessary unity, but allows each individual area distinctive and unique qualities. As such he has presented the essential unity of the separate cantons. The flag of the free city of Vaud is also presented.
The 1291, so prominently displayed, is key to Swiss history. It was then that the clans (later cantons) of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwald, caught in the cross fire of aggressive and competing foreign powers, pledged to forever remain free of foreign control and interference.
The French (Suisse), German (Schweiz), and Italian (Svizzera) indicate the ethnic and national mix of the Swiss even to this day.
At the bottom the artisan and farmer are shown in national costume astride the simple national flag of a white cross on a red background. This was originally the flag of Schwyz in the thirteenth century.
William Tell and son are prominently pictured at the top of the print because, according to legend, in the 14th century when given the choice of bowing his knee to an Austrian overlord or shooting an apple atop his son's head, Tell successfully accomplished the latter, and also drove out the Austrians.
The Swiss have successfully maintained national freedom and independence to this day, surviving by neutrality.
