Millions Back Me (Little Man Asks for Great Gifts ) 1932

This is a photomontage by John Heartfield, and it probably involved a lot of cutting and pasting. I’m looking at the way the artist has created this composition, juxtaposing two figures of unequal size and status. It makes me think about power dynamics and the ways in which political figures can be manipulated by powerful financial backers. It's a dark message; a potent image of corruption and deceit. I can imagine Heartfield in his studio, meticulously piecing together these fragments of reality to construct a narrative. It’s so clear in its message, with the small figure of Hitler literally begging. The contrast between the dark suit and the pale face also creates a dramatic effect, making you think about the moral implications of greed and corruption. It reminds me a little of Hannah Hoch, another artist who worked with collage and photomontage to create socially engaged art. It's like they're in an ongoing conversation. And that's how art works, right? We build on each other's ideas, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.