Simplicissimus Poster and Paper Bombs readings

Thomas Theodor Heine//Simplicissimus//1896-1897


Thomas Theodore Heine created a simple character, the bulldog, set against a flat background. It was kind of his style to have such a simple layout, displaying only one object of concentration. His bulldog represented the common people of Germany who opposed the ruling class. This article said it best:
"Beware! This is not just some rabid canine, but the most unyielding watchdog ever conceived. Born not of flesh and blood, but of ink and brush, this bulldog was the embodiment of a nation's anger, the charged graphic emblem of Simplicissimus, one of the most biting, satirically critical magazines every published."


Aubrey Beardsley//Ali Baba//1897

I found this image to be similar to Heine's dog by the way it is a large figure dominated a single space. Both characters in the images are somewhat disproportionate.



Toshusai Sharaku//Otani Oniji II//Polychrome woodcut print on paper//1794

This image of Otani Oniji II, a Japanese actor from the late 1700s, reminds me of Thomas Heine's dog and Aubrey Beardsley's Ali Baba. All three have very similar stylistic qualities.

Korean War Leaflet


Paper bombs were used during a time of war as part of psychological warfare. These leaflets contained messages with only two options, live or die. There were cautionary leaflets dropped on the enemy, which "encouraged" them to retreat or surrender. Other leaflets were designed to "undermine a battle-weary soldier's morale." The ones dropped on U.S. troops looked like they were designed by the enemy to encourage them to drop out of the war, but in fact these leaflets were also designed by the U.S. army. This was used to help train soldiers to withstand emotional assault. These 'studies' led to the conclusion that "under severe battle conditions, a leaflet is just as formidable as a bullet or missile."


"Bombs Not Bread"//Mark Vallen//1983

I came across this image when I was searching for paper bombs/war leaflets. It is like the first image in coloring and there is a skeleton. The text in this image mocks peace movements, who had the slogan "Bread not bombs."


Leaflet Against War Toys

This image is also similar to the two above in coloring. This one has more of a homefront approach. It encourages parents to not buy toys that evoke violence. It is very anti-war.