Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Boris Efimov
1973 original soviet poster by Boris Efimov No to Nuclear War!

1973

About the Item

Boris Efimov, a renowned Soviet political cartoonist and poster artist, became widely known for his incisive and impactful works during the 20th century. His art often carried strong political messages, particularly reflecting the tensions of the Cold War era. One of his most notable works is the 1973 poster Bombe Nucléaire, which boldly condemns the threat of nuclear warfare. The poster, created during a period of heightened international anxiety, is a powerful visual statement advocating for peace and disarmament. The message of Bombe Nucléaire is direct and uncompromising: “No to Nuclear War!” The poster’s composition features a large, defused nuclear bomb rendered in stark black, its broken form wrapped in a white cloth, symbolizing the desire to neutralize and render inert the devastating power of such weapons. The bold, red lettering of the word "Нет!" ("No!") reinforces the poster's anti-nuclear message, leaving no room for ambiguity. Efimov’s use of color and imagery is significant. The contrast between the bomb's dark, menacing form and the clean, white cloth wrapping it highlights the tension between destruction and peace. The simplicity of the design ensures that the message is easily understood, making it accessible to a wide audience. The red text, set against a calm blue background, draws the viewer’s attention immediately, emphasizing the urgency of rejecting nuclear conflict. During the early 1970s, the world was entrenched in the Cold War, a period marked by an arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The threat of nuclear war loomed large, influencing art, culture, and politics. Efimov’s poster captures the fears of this era while also promoting the global disarmament movement. His work served as a visual rallying cry for peace, aligning with the broader Soviet narrative of advocating for détente and reduced international tensions, even as the superpowers continued to stockpile weapons. Efimov’s career was characterized by his ability to distill complex political messages into powerful visual symbols. His work in Bombe Nucléaire is a prime example of this skill, using stark, simple imagery to communicate a deeply urgent message. The anthropomorphic treatment of the bomb—giving it a sense of defeat or harmlessness—further humanizes the issue, suggesting that disarmament is both necessary and achievable. This poster is more than a piece of propaganda; it is an artifact of a specific moment in history when the world was grappling with the potentially catastrophic consequences of nuclear war. The 1970s saw numerous attempts at arms control, including the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) and the eventual signing of the SALT I treaty in 1972. Bombe Nucléaire aligns with these global efforts, encapsulating the desire for a world free from the fear of nuclear annihilation. In the context of Boris Efimov’s broader body of work, Bombe Nucléaire stands out as a testament to his ability to wield art as a tool for social and political commentary. His posters, characterized by their clarity and impact, played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and promoting state messages during the Soviet era. Decades later, Bombe Nucléaire remains a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for peace in a world where nuclear weapons continue to pose a threat. Efimov’s work endures not only as a piece of historical propaganda but also as a symbol of the universal desire for a world without war. The simplicity and power of his message resonate even today, serving as a call to action for future generations to continue the pursuit of disarmament and peace. Caricature - Politics - USSR Printed in Russia
  • Creator:
    Boris Efimov
  • Creation Year:
    1973
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 35.44 in (90 cm)Width: 23.63 in (60 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Good condition, a small tear.
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1792215687642

More From This Seller

View All
Original map of the Belgian Congo illustrated by James Thiriar in 1954
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful map of the Belgian Congo illustrated by James Thiriar in 1954. James Thiriar, born in Ixelles in 1889 and died in Brussels in 1965, was a Belgi...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph, Linen

1898 poster Mucha Gismondo - Les Maîtres de l'affiche Pl.27
By Alphonse Mucha
Located in PARIS, FR
Alphonse Mucha's "Gismonda" poster, featured as Plate 27 in "Les Maîtres de l'Affiche," stands as a testament to the harmonious convergence of visual arts and theatrical brilliance. ...
Category

1890s Art Nouveau Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Circa 1900 original poster by Smiley - Bal Tabarin
Located in PARIS, FR
This circa 1900 original poster, designed by Smiley, captures the essence of the legendary Bal Tabarin, one of Paris’ most extravagant and notorious cabarets. Located in the heart of...
Category

Early 1900s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Linen, Lithograph, Paper

1953 Original Poster by Raoul Dufy - Preservation of the Palace of Versailles
By Raoul Dufy
Located in PARIS, FR
Poster made in 1953 to promote Dufy's exhibition at the Louis Carré Gallery in Paris to support the preservation of the Palace of Versailles. Raoul Dufy 🇫🇷 (1877-1953) was a Frenc...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Linen, Lithograph

Circa 1950 Original Airline Poster from SAS to India - Scandinavian Airline
Located in PARIS, FR
Original SAS India vintage European travel poster created by Otto Nielsen. Scandinavian Airline System (S.A.S.) Here Nielsen depicts a...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

1953 Original poster for the Grand bal du Cinéma made by Savignac
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful poster for the Grand bal du Cinéma made by Savignac 🇫🇷 (1907-2002), a famous French poster artist. Many of his creations for advertising posters ...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Linen, Lithograph

You May Also Like

"The Putting Green" - Figurative Landscape
By Douglas Adams
Located in Soquel, CA
"The Putting Green" - Figurative Landscape 20th century lithograph copy (restrike) of an original painting by British artist Douglas Adams (English, 185...
Category

1970s Realist Landscape Prints

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Wifredo Lam (1902-1982) - Color lithography on Hahnemühle paper - 1974
By Wifredo Lam
Located in Varese, IT
Color lithography on Hahnemühle paper, edited in 1974. Limited edition of 99 copies + XXV EA, numbered as XXIII/XXV in lower left corner.
 Hand-signed in pencil by artist in lower ri...
Category

1970s Surrealist Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Mia San Mia (Hand signed by Hans Haacke)
Located in New York, NY
Hans Haacke Mia San Mia (Hand signed by Hans Haacke), 2001 Hardback monograph (hand signed by Hans Haacke) Signed by Hans Haacke in black marker on the title page 10 × 8 × 1 inches Provenance Hand signed by Hans Haacke for the present owner at a special event held at 192 Books in Manhattan (owned by Paula Cooper) This exquisite European hardcover monograph with dust jacket was hand signed by Hans Haacke in black marker on the title page for the present owner at a special event held at 192 Books in Manhattan (owned by Paula Cooper). Highly collectible. Makes an excellent gift. Published by the Generali Foundation, Austria on the occasion of the eponymous exhibition. About the exhibition: Hans Haacke (born in 1936 in Cologne, GER, has lived in New York, USA, since 1965) focused on "a single problem area: how the country deals with its history and national identity. More than I care for, these questions stir up emotions both in Austria and Germany." Haacke had been originally concerned with physical and biological systems. Very early on, his artistic practice also included the analysis of and reflection on socio-political phenomena. Haacke's work deals with social and political themes. He considers the debates arising from his works - fierce at times - to be an integral part of them. "Mia san mia" (We Are Who We Are...
Category

Early 2000s Conceptual Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Lithograph, Offset

"Business-Men's Class, Y.M.C.A." George Bellows, Ashcan School Print
By George Wesley Bellows
Located in New York, NY
George Bellows Business-Men's Class, Y.M.C.A, 1916 Signed, numbered "No. 41" and titled lower margin Lithograph on wove paper 11 1/2 x 17 1/8 inches Edition of 64 Provenance: Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York Private Collection, Ohio Literature: Mason, 20. After his arrival from Columbus, Ohio in 1904, Bellows lived at the West Side YMCA. It was there that he met Eugene Speicher, another aspiring young artist who was to become his lifelong friend. Always interested in the anatomy of the human body, Bellows often satirized the various types who, while leading a sedentary life, feel compelled to devote a portion of their daily routine to physical self-improvement. Throughout his brief but illustrious career, George Wesley Bellows created striking scenes that documented ordinary American life in all its beauty and banality. Considered an American Realist, the artist eschewed embellishment, finding inspiration in the gritty boroughs of New York City, the rocky coastline of Maine, and, later, in his friends and family. Bellows garnered early recognition for his arresting portrayals of illegal prizefighting, dramatic works executed in dark tonal palettes that underscore the brutality of the violent sport. Bellows’ elderly Methodist parents hoped their son might pursue the ministry, a calling the extroverted athlete never received. The Columbus native competed on the baseball team at Ohio State University and also served as an illustrator for the college yearbook. In the fall of 1904—just months shy of his expected graduation—Bellows defied his father’s wishes and boarded a train to New York City in hopes of becoming a magazine illustrator like his idols Howard Chandler Christy and Charles Dana Gibson. Before leaving, he reportedly turned down an offer to play professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds...
Category

1910s Ashcan School Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

"Listening to the Universe"
By Angelo Savelli
Located in Astoria, NY
Angelo Savelli (Italian, 1911-1995), "Listening to the Universe", Embossed Lithograph on Paper, 1965, signed in pencil and dated lower right, titled center below, and numbered editio...
Category

1960s Abstract Abstract Prints

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Rio de Janeiro
By Robert Rauschenberg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rio de Janeiro is a colorful, bold, graphic, and visually compelling offset-lithograph by blue chip, pop artist Robert Rauschenberg. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In 1991, he was involved with th...
Category

1990s Pop Art Abstract Prints

Materials

Archival Ink, Archival Paper, Lithograph, Offset

Recently Viewed

View All