French Allies 1914

Kazimir Malevich made this cartoon, "French Allies," using lithography, a printing technique that democratized image-making by allowing for the mass production of artwork. The process involves drawing an image with oil-based crayons on a flat limestone or metal plate. It's then treated with chemicals so that the image attracts ink while the non-image areas repel it. The print is then created by pressing paper against the inked surface. The stark, graphic style and bold color palette are characteristic of propaganda art. The material, lithography, plays a critical role here, enabling the swift creation and distribution of imagery to sway public opinion. It’s important to recognize the cultural significance of such artworks, and how these were created and disseminated in times of conflict. This pushes us to reflect on the role of art in shaping our perceptions of war, nationalism, and cultural identity.