After returning from his first visit to the Soviet Union in 1923, Heinrich Vogeler started to produce his first paintings using communist iconography. One such work was Karelien und Murmansk (Komplexbild) which he used to inspire his artist friends in Germany to adopt socialist principles and to move to the leftist region of the Caucasus. He regarded himself as a kind of reporter of communist ideology. Vogeler’s works used strong lines and representations of workers, which were an adoption of a visual approach used in posters and Soviet imagery. The term ‘Agitation Panel’, which he included in the title, indicates his inspiration. His works function in a similar manner to a speech designed to inspire the passion of the masses.

 

About the Artist

Heinrich Vogeler is known as one of the founders of the collective Worpswede in 1895. His career is associated with the development of the Jugendstil (youth style) that was prominent during the early part of the 20th century. His early paintings showed his interest in the fate of the working class and his political point of view became more entrenched after World War 1. He was inspired by the works of Maxim Gorky, in exploring communism as part of the stimulus of his works.