SS thumbnail 1
Request to view

This object can be requested via email from the Prints & Drawings Study Room

SS

Poster
1968 (Designed and printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In 1968 young French revolutionaries took to the streets to promote a new society, one not based on capitalism or consumerism but on an alliance between students and workers. This poster, printed on 18 May 1968, at the beginning of the occupation of the École des Beaux-Arts, depicts a policeman wielding a baton and carrying a riot shield bearing the letters 'SS'. In this way a comparison is drawn between members of the French CRS (Compagnies Républicaines de Securité) and the German Nazi Party's SS (Schutz-Staffel).

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSS (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph
Brief description
Poster by the Atelier Populaire entitled 'SS', depicting a riot policeman with baton. France, 1968.
Physical description
Portrait format poster printed in black/dark blue. Half length figure of a riot police officer in helmet and goggles brandishes a truncheon above his head and holds a shield emblazoned 'SS'.
Dimensions
  • Sheet height: 552mm
  • Sheet width: 432mm
Dimensions taken from departmental notes
Production typeMass produced
Gallery label
Atelier Populaire
'SS'
Poster printed during the student riots on 18 May 1968 in Paris.
Screenprint
E.225-1985

This poster shows a riot policeman with the letters 'SS' on his shield, drawing a comparison between the French C.R.S. (Compagnies Republicaines de Securite) and the Nazi SS (Schutz-Staffel). Many of those in the Underground sympathised with French student politics. The terrible student riots were widely reported in the Underground press and surplus posters, which were actually made during the riots, later became available in poster shops in Britain, such as 'Hang Up'. Furthermore this image was used on the cover of Oz, July 1968.

Text by Julia Bigham.
Credit line
Given by Steef Davidson
Production
Student Revolutionary poster issued in Paris during the revolt of May-June 1968. Printed on the 18 May 1968.
Subjects depicted
Summary
In 1968 young French revolutionaries took to the streets to promote a new society, one not based on capitalism or consumerism but on an alliance between students and workers. This poster, printed on 18 May 1968, at the beginning of the occupation of the École des Beaux-Arts, depicts a policeman wielding a baton and carrying a riot shield bearing the letters 'SS'. In this way a comparison is drawn between members of the French CRS (Compagnies Républicaines de Securité) and the German Nazi Party's SS (Schutz-Staffel).
Collection
Accession number
E.225-1985

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 4, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSON