Thunder strike 1944

This propaganda poster titled ‘Thunder Strike’ was created by the Soviet artist collective Kukryniksy using lithographic printing, a commercial process ideal for mass production and distribution. The flags of Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union, are shown as a unified lightning bolt striking down upon Nazi soldiers. The sharp edges and bold colors, characteristic of propaganda art, effectively convey a sense of immediate danger and decisive action. Lithography, requiring skilled artisans, was crucial in disseminating political messages efficiently. The production of such posters involved a collective effort, from the artists who conceived the image to the printmakers who transferred it onto stones and paper, and is tied to the industrialization and mass communication of the 20th century. In understanding 'Thunder Strike,' we can look past the traditional boundaries of art history, focusing instead on the intersection of art, production, and political ideology.