Alexander Nevsky
Alexander Newski
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| Poster Origin : | Germany |
| Poster Size : | German A1 / 594 x 841mm |
| Poster Artist : | Jan Lenica |
| Poster Year : | 1966 |
| Poster Version : | Re-Release |
| Film Origin : | Russia / USSR |
| Film Director : | Sergei Eisenstein |
| Film Year : | 1938 |
This simple design is made entirely from snipped and torn pieces of paper, and is typical of Lenica’s work during this period - notice the similarity with his UK poster for Cul-De-Sac released in the same year. This is printed in black ink only; Lenica doesn’t even need the extravagance of colour to create a magnificent poster.
The character of Prince Alexander is portrayed as an all-conquering warrior, standing triumphantly over a fallen knight. His helmet and shield bear the distinctive shape of the medieval Rus’ military, while the horned helmet of the defeated figure bears the Teutonic order’s cross motif. The film was an overtly political allegory, depicting the growing threat to the Soviet Union from Nazi Germany in the late 1930s - the German knight features the clawed feet of a predatory animal, which is also a reference to the black eagle of the Nazi insignia. In contrast, the virtuous Nevsky bears a flower - the perfect symbol of life, beauty and hope.