Untitled 1945

This untitled artwork, made around 1945 by the collective Kukryniksy, is a satirical drawing using ink on paper to capture a moment in history. It's a pretty dark, graphic depiction of Hitler's demise. The stark monochrome palette emphasizes the bleakness of the scene. You've got this dejected Hitler figure, lugging a coffin labeled "to the next world," while his suitcase reads "to Argentina?" which suggests his post-war escape plan. I’m imagining Kukryniksy sitting at a table, perhaps with cigarettes burning, sketching out these bold lines with fury and precision. What were they feeling as they drew this? The map in the background with arrows pointing towards Berlin adds another layer, showing the military pressure. This work reminds me a lot of the drawings of Philip Guston, especially in its political and social commentary. Each artist is adding to this tradition.