THE HISTORY OF POLITICAL POSTERS IN SERBIA AFTER WORLD WAR II (1944-1990)

Abstract

This study critically examines political posters in Serbia from 1944 to 1990, focusing on their artistic and functional roles within the context of post-war society. The analysis aims to explore how these works reflected ideological changes and social dynamics, as well as their function as tools of political propaganda. Understanding this subject allows us to assess the role of art in shaping political narratives and its impact on public perception across different historical periods. The research employs a methodological approach that includes structural, descriptive, and explicative analyses of the posters. Additionally, the method of synthesis will be used to draw comprehensive conclusions about the techniques, ideas, and messages characterizing the posters from the specified period. The study will provide a detailed analysis of the key characteristics of political posters from 1944 to 1990, identifying dominant styles and thematic elements, such as symbolism and iconography specific to particular political events. It will also highlight changes in design and communication over time, reflecting political and social transformations. The investigation will examine how posters were used to mobilize support, reinforce ideological positions, and shape public opinion, with a particular emphasis on innovative artistic approaches employed by creators to effectively convey messages. The analysis reveals that political posters in Serbia during this period played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and political communication. Through their visual and textual elements, these posters reflected ideological shifts and social trends, serving as significant tools for propaganda and political endorsement. Notably, this period saw the emergence of authorship, leading to greater self-promotion among creators, which in turn influenced the creative techniques and approaches used in their work. Some of the most prominent artists who worked on posters include Ismet Mujezinović, Đorđe Andrejević Kun, Aleksandar Deroko, Mihailo Petrov, Mate Zlamalik, Boško Karanović, Dobrilo Nikolić, and many others. The role of posters as a propaganda tool was paramount in the early years, underscoring the complex interplay between art, politics, and society during times of significant change. The study concludes that political posters in Serbia were not merely artistic expressions but also essential propaganda instruments with a profound impact on shaping public opinion during the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Posters served as means of mobilization, education, and ideological identity formation, with their creators successfully integrating contemporary artistic trends into their works. Although posters were highly significant in the mid-1950s, there was a noticeable decline in their number over the years, particularly in the realm of political propaganda.