-
1941 to the East! 1944 to the West!
Deni, Viktor Nikolaevich, born 1893 - died 1946 - Enlarge image
1941 to the East! 1944 to the West!
- Object:
Poster
- Place of origin:
USSR (made)
- Date:
1944 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Deni, Viktor Nikolaevich, born 1893 - died 1946 (maker)
Gosplantzdat (publishers) - Materials and Techniques:
Colour lithograph on paper
- Credit Line:
Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko
- Museum number:
E.278-2004
- Gallery location:
Prints & Drawings Study Room, level C, case 3G, shelf DR7
Hitler is caricatured in '1941' wearing a placard inscribed 'Slavery for the Peoples' and in '1944' as cowering under the Soviet sword of retribution. The 'East' and 'West' of the poster's title refer to the direction of the military campaigns. In 1941, Hitler's army was very strong and steadily gaining momentum moving eastward to strike the Russian and other Eastern European forces. By 1944, however, the Allied armies were causing the Germans to retreat back westward. This poster was issued both to mock Hitler and to inspire the Russians to continue with the war effort because the outcome was turning in their favour.
