The artwork, titled “Fedor Parfenov. The Cooperative of the Have Nots,” was created by John Heartfield in 1930. This work, which falls under the Dada art movement, is a photomontage and is classified within the design genre.
The artwork employs the photomontage technique to juxtapose various visual elements, creating a compelling narrative with a socio-political undertone, consistent with the themes often explored in Dadaism. The central figure appears to be seated atop a rudimentary scaffolding constructed from a tree, wielding a hammer, under a partly cloudy sky. Additional images along the left of the artwork display four faces, presumably of working-class individuals, conveying a sense of subdued resilience and solidarity. The text “Die Genossenschaft der Habenichtse” (translated to “The Cooperative of the Have Nots”) is strategically placed across the scaffold, reinforcing the themes of community and collective struggle among the less privileged.
The overall composition of the artwork, with its stark contrasts and deliberate arrangement, effectively underscores the socio-economic divide and the collaborative spirit of the marginalized.
