The artwork “Poster in protest of the execution of Sacco and Vanzetti” was created by Ben Shahn in 1932. It is a part of the Expressionism movement and belongs to the genre of posters. In the artwork, Shahn conveys a powerful social and political message through both imagery and text, reflecting the injustice surrounding the case of Sacco and Vanzetti.
The poster features simple yet poignant illustrations of two men, presumably representing Sacco and Vanzetti, in a reflective pose. The style is deliberately unrefined to convey raw emotion and immediacy. Below the illustrations, a block of handwritten text addresses the injustice and the profound impact on the lives of the men who were wrongfully executed. The text reflects their lived experiences and the moral victory they hope to achieve despite their tragic end. The overall composition emphasizes the emotional and political weight of their story, serving as a powerful protest against their execution and a call for social justice.