We venerate President Mao (End of the 20 century) by Wang WeishuMuseu do Oriente
Chinese Propaganda Posters
Testimonies of the social and political reforms initiated by Mao Zedong during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution (1966- 1976).
The Propaganda
The themes most represented at the time are the glorification of the president and communist heroes, the class struggle, the happiness of the people and economic prosperity, the unity of the ethnic minorities, the international revolutions and the power of the army.
Glory to Mao. The Red Book
One of the most emblematic elements of the posters is the Red Book. Compiled in 1964, it contains thoughts and writings by Mao Zedong and became one of the main instruments of ideological instruction of the Cultural Revolution.
Great Heroes. Communists and Proletarians!
Images of martyrs, models of altruism and dedication, good soldiers, committed workers and instructors of young pioneers, become propaganda instruments of the Cultural Revolution.
Class Struggle. "Comrades, fight to the end!"
The model of the communist individual is that of the proletariat. Farmers and workers, men and women, represented in an apotheotic stance, projecting themselves forward, open chest and an emotional expression in their faces, denounce their voluntaristic and fighting posture.
The Way to Happiness and Economic Prosperity
Policies such as the Great Leap Forward and the People’s Communes invoked the social behaviours required to attain happiness, including mutual help and solidarity, a willingness to engage in agricultural and industrial work and a readiness for the military service.
We often see children depicted in the posters as a symbol of the party's efforts to promote literacy, development and prosperity.
"Minorities, Unite yourselves!"
According to Mao, the cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity of the Chinese people should be respected and valued. In 1957, and after several nationalist campaigns for the recognition of the various minorities, 54 distinct ethnic groups were officially identified.
Power of the Army and of the People
The global circulation of propaganda posters, the Red Book and other propaganda materials spread the Maoist radicalism in various parts of the globe, especially among young radical and voluntaristic students.
Never forget the class enemies. Always be a revolutionary (End of the 20 century) by Chen Mou and Dong Shu. Yi Heyuan PoemsMuseu do Oriente
Paradigmatic of the design favoured at the time, Chinese propaganda posters exhibit great aesthetic and artistic value, in addition to their role as instruments of political propaganda.
