The artwork is titled “So Would Tell, from the People’s Illustrated,” created by John Heartfield in 1937. It belongs to the Dada art movement and is classified under the genre of illustration.
In the artwork, a formidable figure of a man is depicted wielding an axe over his head with intense vigor. He appears to be preparing to strike, aiming at an imposingly tall wooden pole. At the top of the pole rests a hat adorned with a swastika, symbolizing oppressive authority. The background features dramatic clouds over a mountainous landscape, enhancing the gravity and tension of the scene. The piece, infused with political commentary, exemplifies the Dada movement’s use of photomontage to critique the socio-political climate of the time. The text accompanying the illustration is a quotation from Friedrich Schiller’s play “Wilhelm Tell,” emphasizing themes of resistance and liberation.
