1944 Henrion Anti-Nazi Persuasive Poster, World War II
AntiNaziPoster-henrion-1944$1,800.00
Title
U.S.P.F. II
1944 (undated) 20.25 x 26 in (51.435 x 66.04 cm)
1944 (undated) 20.25 x 26 in (51.435 x 66.04 cm)
Description
This is Frederick Henri Kay Henrion's striking c. 1944 anti-Nazi poster produced during the Allied counter-offensive against Germany during World War II (1939 - 1945). Although emphasizing unity among the Allies, it also subtly hints at underlying tensions.
Analyzing the image, it is likely meant for an audience among the Western Allies, with the Soviet flag appearing somewhat less prominently when, in reality, the Soviets were responsible for the lion's share of the fighting against Nazi Germany. It is also notable that France is included as equivalent to the British and Americans, which is likely a reflection of the stage in the war when the poster was produced when the French Resistance and Free French forces played an important role in the Liberation of their country from Nazi occupation. Throughout the war, Free French leader Charles de Gaulle consistently advocated for himself and his forces to be recognized as the only legitimate French representative and to have an equivalent seat at the table as the 'Big Four' Allied powers (the U.S., U.K., U.S.S.R., and the Republic of China). Despite thoroughly irritating both the British and Americans with his vocal persistence, de Gaulle was remarkably successful in establishing a sort of symbolic parity with the other Allies, formalized by France's inclusion on the Security Council of the new United Nations.
A Closer Look
A powerful image, this poster champions the ideals of international cooperation against the Nazi menace. The message is clear: the Allies will destroy Hitler. Each flagged arm - representing the United States, Britain, France, and Russia - tears apart a swastika against a stormy and otherworldly background. The poster was most likely produced soon after the invasion of Normandy beginning on D-Day (June 6, 1944).Analyzing the image, it is likely meant for an audience among the Western Allies, with the Soviet flag appearing somewhat less prominently when, in reality, the Soviets were responsible for the lion's share of the fighting against Nazi Germany. It is also notable that France is included as equivalent to the British and Americans, which is likely a reflection of the stage in the war when the poster was produced when the French Resistance and Free French forces played an important role in the Liberation of their country from Nazi occupation. Throughout the war, Free French leader Charles de Gaulle consistently advocated for himself and his forces to be recognized as the only legitimate French representative and to have an equivalent seat at the table as the 'Big Four' Allied powers (the U.S., U.K., U.S.S.R., and the Republic of China). Despite thoroughly irritating both the British and Americans with his vocal persistence, de Gaulle was remarkably successful in establishing a sort of symbolic parity with the other Allies, formalized by France's inclusion on the Security Council of the new United Nations.
Publication History and Census
This work was prepared by artist and designer Frederick Henri Kay Henrion c. 1944 for the U.S. Office of War Information or perhaps the British Ministry of Information. It is scarce in institutional collections, with examples being held by the Pritzker Military Museum and Library, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and the Imperial War Museum.Cartographer
Frederick Henri Kay Henrion (April 18, 1914 - July 5, 1990) was a German-born British graphic designer prominent in the mid-20th century. Henrion was born Heinrich Fritz Kohn in Nurnberg, Germany, but later (in 1936) moved to England after studying poster design in Paris under the renowned artist Paul Colin (1892 - 1985). In England, he began to develop his unique identity and style as a graphic designer and designer of pavilions for trade shows and international expositions. During the Second World War, Henrion was initially interned on the Isle of Man as a citizen of an enemy nation, but his artistic skills were soon put to use, producing striking propaganda posters for the British Ministry of Information, as well as for the U.S. Office of War Information. After the war, Henrion worked as an art director at Contact Books before founding his own consultancy in 1951. In addition to continuing to design exposition pavilions, including for the 1951 Festival of Britain, he created a number of corporate identities for brands like KLM, British European Airways, and the National Theater. Additionally, Henrion worked as an art editor for several publications and taught at the Royal College of Art and later at the London College of Printing. Henrion's renown was such that he received the designation Royal Designer for Industry as well as the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). More by this mapmaker...
Condition
Very good. On linen.
References
OCLC 809198870. Museum of Jewish Heritage Object No. 143.95. Imperial War Museum Catalogue No. Art.IWM PST 4006. Pritzker Military Museum and Library Object No. 320739. Guerres, p. 34, no. 13 (var); War Posters, p. 41; PAI-LXXXVII, 113.