Circus – magician sawing the chest

1967

Original Polish circus poster showing magician sawing the chest.  Poster design: STANISŁAW MIEDZA – TOMASZEWSKI, 1967

The circus poster in Poland appeared for the first time in the early 1960s on commission from the ZPR (United Amusement Companies) and is one of the most interesting phenomena within the Polish poster school.

Circus posters were not meant to advertise specific performances.
They were also not a literal illustration of the circus. Their aim was to convey the circus atmosphere through a metaphor and symbol. Humour, wit, expression, and at the same time charm are their most important features.

Independence from the advertising function made the circus poster a kind of art genre. Created in the 1960s and 1970s, it has also gained great popularity and recognition abroad – especially in the USA.

Early realizations or 1960s posters are rare. Low expenditure, and on the other hand a wide audience, as well as the beauty and uniqueness of the projects, make these posters always arousing interest and admiration. Among the most interesting projects from the mid-sixties are those of such artists as Waldemar Świerzy, Jan Młodożeniec, Maciej Urbaniec, Hubert Hilscher, Liliana Baczewska, Rosław Szaybo.

Condition: very good-