Description
This high-quality reproduction features one of the most emotionally charged posters of the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939). Created for the P.O.U.M., a revolutionary anti-Stalinist communist party, the poster captures the raw fervor and collective spirit of the Republican resistance in Spain.
Visual Composition
The poster utilizes a dynamic, crowded composition that emphasizes the power of the masses:
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The Imagery: A dense group of workers and militia members are depicted with their heads tilted back, mouths open in a collective shout or song. The upward gaze suggests hope, determination, and a vision for a revolutionary future.
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The Style: The artwork uses bold, painterly strokes and a palette of earthy ochres and deep blues, typical of the social realism and expressionism found in revolutionary art of the 1930s.
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The Branding: The acronym P.O.U.M. is displayed prominently at the top right, identifying the political affiliation of the subjects.
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The Message: At the bottom, a heavy, sans-serif typeface declares: “EL SOCIALISMO ES LA LIBERACION” (Socialism is Liberation), framing the struggle as a fight for total freedom.
Historical Significance
The P.O.U.M. played a critical and controversial role during the war, particularly in Catalonia and the “May Days” of Barcelona in 1937. Because the party was eventually suppressed by the Soviet-backed government forces, original P.O.U.M. materials are rarer than many other Republican posters. This piece serves as a haunting reminder of the idealistic and tragic “revolution within the war.”
Product Specifications
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Era: Original circa 1936.
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Political Affiliation: P.O.U.M. (Partido Obrero de Unificación Marxista).
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Theme: Spanish Civil War, Revolutionary Socialism, 1930s Political Art.
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Ideal For: Historians, collectors of socialist art, educators, or those interested in the history of the international brigades and George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia.
