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John Heartfield
John Heartfield poster Whoever Reads the Bourgeois Press Becomes Blind and Deaf

$5,372.12
£3,959.23
€4,500
CA$7,353.24
A$8,236.02
CHF 4,285.48
MX$100,025.92
NOK 54,328.95
SEK 51,263.41
DKK 34,247.94
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About the Item

John Heartfield’s Qui lit la presse bourgeoise devient aveugle et sourd, plus de bandages abrutissants (Whoever Reads the Bourgeois Press Becomes Blind and Deaf—No More Stupefying Bandages!) is a haunting and politically charged photomontage that delivers a scathing critique of media manipulation and ideological blindness. The image presents a figure whose head is completely wrapped in bourgeois newspapers, rendering them both faceless and senseless. Their identity is erased, their sight obstructed, and their ability to hear stifled by layers of politically charged newsprint. The title and accompanying text reinforce the message: consumption of establishment-controlled media leads to intellectual paralysis, preventing individuals from seeing the truth or questioning the system. Heartfield, a pioneer of anti-fascist photomontage, created this work as part of his relentless opposition to propaganda, censorship, and the complicity of mainstream media in upholding oppressive regimes. The newspapers featured in the image, such as Tempo and Vorwärts, reference real publications that were instrumental in shaping public opinion in Weimar-era Germany, illustrating how biased reporting and state-influenced journalism contributed to the rise of fascism. By using the photomontage technique, Heartfield merges photography with political satire, transforming familiar elements of everyday life into biting social commentary. His work warns against passivity and urges viewers to break free from the "bandages" of misinformation. At a time when media control and fake news remain pressing issues, Qui lit la presse bourgeoise devient aveugle et sourd remains as relevant as ever, serving as a powerful reminder of the necessity of independent thought and critical media consumption. Original Poster Politics - Photography - Photomontage - Germany
  • Creator:
    John Heartfield (1891 - 1968, German)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 34.65 in (88 cm)Width: 24.41 in (62 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Very good condition, on linen.
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1792216083132

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Original Poster Politics - Photography - Photomontage - Germany - Anti-Semitism John Heartfield’s Die Lehre des Wolfes (The Teaching of the Wolf) is a striking example of his mastery of political photomontage, a technique he pioneered to expose the dangers of fascism and authoritarianism. This powerful composition presents a grotesque anthropomorphic wolf, dressed in military regalia, addressing a group of farm animals. The image serves as a biting satirical critique, likely targeting the deceptive rhetoric of totalitarian leaders who manipulate the masses for their own gain. Heartfield, a German artist closely associated with the anti-fascist Dada movement and a fierce critic of the Nazi regime, frequently used visual irony to challenge propaganda. In this work, the wolf—traditionally a symbol of cunning and predation—is portrayed as a figure of authority, dictating to an audience of sheep, goats, chickens, and other livestock. The accompanying text reinforces the theme, suggesting that the idea of "animals" as a unified group is an illusion—each species exists only to be consumed by the wolf, mirroring the ways oppressive regimes divide and exploit society. Created in the context of the 1930s and 1940s, Heartfield’s work was a direct challenge to the growing influence of fascist ideology in Europe. His photomontages, published in leftist magazines and posters, were acts of visual resistance, exposing the hypocrisy and brutality of political leaders. Die Lehre des Wolfes remains a timeless warning against manipulation, dictatorship, and the dangers of blindly following authority. Today, this piece is celebrated not only as an artwork but also as a historical document of resistance, reminding viewers of the enduring power of visual satire in the fight for truth and justice.The "working session of the Reich professional group of higher education professors of the League of National Socialist German Lawyers", which met under the chairmanship of Professor Carl Schmitt...
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