Olympic Posters: a Masterpiece of Post-War Artistic Expression

SHAPERO Modern NOW OPEN  until the end of August The 1972 Munich Olympics became a cultural milestone that reflected post-war optimism through innovative art and design. The Organising Committee were determined to redefine Germany’s global image in the aftermath of World War II, publishing this eclectic collection of avant-garde prints, many of which emphasised non-representational works.   Serge Poliakoff, Olympische Spiele München 1972, 1969 Serge Poliakoff’s contribution stands out with his puzzle-like arrangement of expansive colours.  His style was deeply influenced by pre-war Parisian contemporaries such as Wassily Kandinsky and the post-war trend of abstraction; which in the socio-political climate of the time became associated with freedom.  Hans Hartung, Olympische Spiele München 1972, 1969 Hans Hartung’s lithograph offers a fascinating example of post-war abstraction, echoing the spirit of American action painting with a European twist. His unique method of scratching, erasing and re-applying pigment demonstrates a dynamic spontaneity that challenges traditional geometric abstraction, highlighting his novel use of tools such as rakes and olive branches to create emotive, textural art.  Pierre Soulages, Olympische Spiele München 1972, 1970 Pierre Soulages’ print exemplifies his outrenoir (beyond black) technique, where through the nuanced variations of hue within the blank ink, the perception of the print is transformed and transmuted by the subjective light for the particular onlooker; highlighting the deliberate nature of his dynamic images. His idea of outrenoir and seeing ‘light after darkness’ is fitting for the Munich 72 Olympics which symbolised West Germany’s post-war recovery.  Fritz Winter, Olympische Spiele München 1972, 1969 Trained at the Bauhaus, Fritz Winter was imprisoned from the end of the War until 1949 in a Siberian Gulag. Once a free man his work changed and under the influence of Zen Buddhism he embraced the prevailing avant-garde trend towards abstraction, believing it could bring forth elements of the consciousness.  This diverse collection of prints, produced by some of the most notable artists of the 20th century, showcases a wide spectrum of artistic tastes but also serves as a testament to the era’s free and expressive approach to abstract art. The 1972 Munich Olympics stand as a major achievement in cultural transformation, where art and sport signalled a new optimistic era for West Germany and the world.  Thirty lithographs in colour by 28 international artists are on display at our Maddox Street gallery until the end of August. ENQUIRE → Olympische Spiele München 1972

About the author

Federica Marconi

View all posts by Federica Marconi