Lot 87: VICTOR THEODORE SLAMA (1890-1973) WIE LANGE BRAUCHEN WIR SIE NOCH? Circa 1948.

66 1/4x46 inches.
Condition A-: repaired tears in margins; vertical and horizontal folds. Two sheets.
Slama had a long and prolific career as a press illustrator and poster designer in Austria, winning the City of Vienna Prize in 1951. As the main graphic designer for the Social Democratic party he designed a lot of political posters, but he also designed posters for the press, commercial products and movies. After World War II, Vienna, like Berlin, was occupied by the Allies and divided into four quarters. It wasn't until 1950 that the city was free from the occupying forces. This protest poster rails against the occupation asking "How long do we still need them?" Four gigantic eyes (the Allied occupiers), against a dark background watch every movement of the populace. In the center of the image is an identity card printed in the four languages of the occupying forces. An unsettling, though crystal clear message.