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OF [Civic Forum]HAVEL

Poster
1989 (designed and printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Václav Havel was a key figure in the 'Velvet Revolution' that ended communist rule in Czechoslovakia and a founder of the opposition movement Civic Forum (Obcanské Fórum - OF). His charismatic personality and leadership made him a focus of the country's hopes for a democratic future. He was selected as president of Czechoslovakia by parliament in December 1989 and was re-elected as president by the Federal Assembly after the free elections in June 1990.

The poster depicts a hand making a 'V' for victory sign which forms the 'V' of Havel's name. The red and blue colours of 'OF' and the cuff drawn on the hand combine with the white paper to symbolise the colours of the Czechoslovak national flag.


Designed, printed and published in former Czechoslovakia


Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • OF [Civic Forum]HAVEL (generic title)
  • Pro-democracy Poster Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Offset lithograph in black, red and blue printed on paper
Brief description
Poster promoting Obcanske Forum [Civic Forum] and the leadership of Vaclav Havel. Czech Republic, 1989.
Physical description
Poster promoting Obcanske Forum [Civic Forum] and the leadership of Vaclav Havel through the punning image of a hand with two fingers making the victory 'V' sign. These fingers form the 'V' of Havel's name and promote his success in the Presidential elections, as well as symbolising the victory of the Velvet Revolution in overturning the communist régime. The red and blue colours of OF and the cuff drawn on the hand combine with the white paper to symbolise the Czechoslovak national flag.
Dimensions
  • Maximum height: 36.2cm
  • Maximum width: 39.1cm
Production typeMass produced
Production
Designed, printed and published in former Czechoslovakia

Attribution note: Size of print run unknown
Subjects depicted
Places depicted
Summary
Václav Havel was a key figure in the 'Velvet Revolution' that ended communist rule in Czechoslovakia and a founder of the opposition movement Civic Forum (Obcanské Fórum - OF). His charismatic personality and leadership made him a focus of the country's hopes for a democratic future. He was selected as president of Czechoslovakia by parliament in December 1989 and was re-elected as president by the Federal Assembly after the free elections in June 1990.

The poster depicts a hand making a 'V' for victory sign which forms the 'V' of Havel's name. The red and blue colours of 'OF' and the cuff drawn on the hand combine with the white paper to symbolise the colours of the Czechoslovak national flag.


Designed, printed and published in former Czechoslovakia
Collection
Accession number
E.31-1991

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Record createdFebruary 8, 2006
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