To the Front / Al Front

Al Front! (in Catalan), To The Front! [33 x 23cm] Carles Fontsera [1936?]. Issued in Barcelona by the CNT/FAI. The FAI or Federación Anarquista Ibérica was the ideological vanguard of Spanish anarchism. Fontsera's soldier wears a Spanish helmet of 1926 design. This is one of a number of posters issued in both large and small formats. It was probably part of the early mobilization efforts. The extreme contrast between light and shadow make this soldier an emotionally powerful icon. The burst of light on his helmet helps make him a positive, rather than forbidding, image.

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