Cover, Der Sinn von Genf (The Meaning of Geneva), Arbeiter-Illustrierte Zeitung: das Illustrierte Volksblatt (AIZ), Jahrgang XI, No. 48, 1932 Designed by John Heartfield (pseudonym for Helmut Herzfeld) (German, 1891–1968) Published by Neuer Deutscher Verlag, Berlin 15 x 11 1/8" XB1990.2047 Photo montage - making a picture by assembling pieces of photographs, in combination with other graphic material - originated with the Dada movement in Berlin. Heartfield used this technique to create biting, political satire that illustrated his anti-fascist, pacifist, and communist ideals. This cover accompanied an article about an anti-Nazi demonstration in Geneva, during which 15 workers died and 60 more were wounded. A headline reads: "Where capital lives, peace cannot live!" Heartfield depicted the League of Nations building in the background as the dove of peace is impaled on a bayonet. The cross on the Swiss flag has turned into a swastika. Although photo-montage was a technique developed by radical leftists, right-wing governments later appropriated it for their own purposes. Back to Political Propaganda Main Back to Collections Main