During the golden era of the Polish School of Posters the most recognized subject and the most highly-acclaimed posters were CYRK (aka Circus) posters. In their more than twenty years of design supremacy, CYRK achieved a remarkable artistic quality and a degree of popularity not matched by the any other genre of the Polish School of Posters. They became known for their mastery of specific artistic qualities: painterly gestures, vibrant colors, hand-lettering and humor as well as their camouflaged messages.
For example – Mona Lisa, by Maciej Urbaniec [in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, NYC and honored in Poland with a postage stamp of its image] through color, design and metaphors conveys the concept that an ideal life would combine the sophistication of Leonardo da Vinci’s art with the exuberance of the circus.
Mona Lisa
Artist: Maciej Urbaniec
Year Printed: 1978
Size: 27″ x 39″
This poster is a subsequent printing of a 1970 poster. All printings were by agencies of the Polish Communist government which continuously used the same printing plates, making it hard to differential between initial prints and subsequent prints of a poster. Often sellers are unaware of the actual printing date of a poster as all printings are practically identical.
Lion Standing on CYRK
Artist: Hubert Hilscher
Year Printed: 1978
Size: 27″ x 39″
This poster is a subsequent printing of a 1967 poster
Howdy Doody Clown With Flower
Artist: Bohdan Bocianowski
Year Printed: 1980
Size: 27″ x 39″
This poster is a subsequent printing of a 1974 poster
Talking Monkey
Artist: Hubert Hilscher
Year Printed: 1973
Size: 27″ x 39″
1/2 Tiger & 1/2 Clown
Artist: Rafal Olbinski
Year Printed: 1980
Size: 39″ x 27″
Here are a few more Cyrk posters which used the image of the tiger and other large cats:
Tiger Tiger Burning Bright
Artist: Jerzy Czerniawski
Year Printed: 1977
Size: 27″ x 39″
Large Seated Cat
Artist: Hubert Hilscher
Year Printed: 1980
Size: 27″ x 39″
Funny Face Dreaming
Artist: Tadeusz Jodlowski
Year Printed:1979
Size: 27″ x 39″
This poster is a subsequent printing of a 1965 poster
Everybody loves a Clown, especially one playing a Saxophone that is blowing Butterflys
Saxophones & Butterflies
Artist: Maciej Szemelowski
Year Printed: c.1984
Size: 26″ x 35″
See all Available Cyrk Posters
See our previous Polish blog postings:
The Art of Polish Posters – Polish School of Posters – Part I
THE ART OF POLISH POSTERS – Politics and Poster Art – Part II
THE ART OF POLISH POSTERS – Part III: Artists of the Polish School of Posters
Check back with this blog as we continue to show great polish poster art and continue the story of the Polish School of Posters!
Check out more Polish posters here!
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