Name/Title
HamletEntry/Object ID
2012.100Description
This is a poster for a theater production of Hamlet. It’s style is abstract-expressionist like, with a crackled red background beneath black void with hints of red eyes wearing steely, jagged crown.Artwork Details
Medium
Photomechanical printSubject
HamletSubject Place
Country
PolandContinent
EuropeContext
In 20th century Poland, posters were used to advertise all sorts of events such as plays, concerts, and exhibitions. Graphic design became an important part of the Polish art scene at the time because of the way it allowed for visual artistic expression, that could be consumed in everyday life. There were restrictions around artistic expression under the People’s Republic of Poland, so artists used lots of symbolism in their works, developing a style unique the medium of posters. Polish artists put the same level of complexity and quality into poster design, as the great European masters would put into an oil painting. Historically, these posters have value and rarity because they were not mass produced and there is a limited quantity. Under the communist government of the 20th century, the resources needed to make posters, like ink and paper were expensive and limited. Therefore, there are only as many copies of a poster as there were buildings where the event would be promoted.Acquisition
Notes
Collection of DePaul Art Museum, gift of Martin RosenbergMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Zebrowski, LeszekRole
Graphic ArtistManufacturer
The Pomeranian Duke’s CastleDate made
circa 1980Place
Country
PolandContinent
EuropeEthnography
Cultural Region
Country
PolandContinent
EuropeInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
R: BCTranscription
"Shakespeare/Hamlet"Language
EnglishType
InscriptionLocation
R: BRTranscription
"Zamek Ksiazat Pomor-skich w szczecinie"Language
PolishTranslation
"The Pomeranian Dukes' Castle in Szczecin"Lexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Poster, TheaterNomenclature Primary Object Term
PosterNomenclature Class
Advertising MediaNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsGetty AAT
Concept
theater (discipline), theater arts, performing arts (discipline), arts (broad discipline), humanities, disciplines (concept), posters, information artifacts, information forms (objects)Hierarchy Name
Disciplines (hierarchy name), Information Forms (hierarchy name), Visual and Verbal Communication (hierarchy name)Facet
Activities Facet, Objects FacetLOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Theater postersDimensions
Dimension Description
overallWidth
26-1/2 inLength
38-1/2 in