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"The Waldheim Truth"
Poster
ca. 1986 (made)
ca. 1986 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This poster shows a series of caricatrures in the signature style of Austrian satirical illustrator Manfred Deix. The images mock the Austrian politician and diplomat Kurt Waldheim. The conservative Waldheim served two terms as United Nations Secretary General (1972-1981) and was elected President of Austria from 1986-1991. During his election campaign, he was strongly criticised for downplaying his role in the Nazi atrocities of World War II, when he served as an army lieutenant from 1942-1945. Deix scathingly seizes on what he perceives as the politician's dishonesty and inability to recollect important facts. In one image, Waldheim's "twin" naievely wonders "where are all these people going?" while looking at a group of deported Jews. In others, he remarks "the Balkans? I don't know that place!" and ironically admonishes to "keep away from war crimes".
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | "The Waldheim Truth" |
Materials and techniques | offset lithograph |
Brief description | "The Waldheim Truth" political poster satirising Austrian politician and diplomat Kurt Waldheim in a series of caricatures by Manfred Deix. Austria, ca. 1986. |
Physical description | Satirical illustration of Kurt Waldheim |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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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 |
Object history | NB: The term "negro" was used historically to describe people of black African heritage but, since the 1960s, has fallen from usage and, increasingly, is considered offensive. The term is repeated here in its original historical context. |
Subjects depicted | |
Place depicted | |
Summary | This poster shows a series of caricatrures in the signature style of Austrian satirical illustrator Manfred Deix. The images mock the Austrian politician and diplomat Kurt Waldheim. The conservative Waldheim served two terms as United Nations Secretary General (1972-1981) and was elected President of Austria from 1986-1991. During his election campaign, he was strongly criticised for downplaying his role in the Nazi atrocities of World War II, when he served as an army lieutenant from 1942-1945. Deix scathingly seizes on what he perceives as the politician's dishonesty and inability to recollect important facts. In one image, Waldheim's "twin" naievely wonders "where are all these people going?" while looking at a group of deported Jews. In others, he remarks "the Balkans? I don't know that place!" and ironically admonishes to "keep away from war crimes". |
Other number | LS.2558 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.1685-2004 |
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Record created | April 15, 2005 |
Record URL |
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