“Mimicry, from The Workers’ Illustrated News,” created by John Heartfield in 1934, is an illustration belonging to the Dada art movement. This artwork showcases the artist’s penchant for satirical and critical commentary, executed with the unique Dadaist approach to visual expression.
The artwork comprises a photo montage, a technique frequently used by Heartfield. It depicts a man standing in military attire, adorned with a substantial beard. Another figure, positioned behind him, appears to be fastening the beard onto the man’s face. The bearded individual, clad in a uniform with an armband, exudes an air of authority, while the other figure’s actions suggest a facade being constructed. This setup underscores Heartfield’s critique of political duplicity and the manipulation of public personas. Additionally, the text accompanying the visual provides contextual background, enhancing the artwork’s polemic nature against political charades. Through “Mimicry,” Heartfield delivers a potent visual statement against the deception and mimicry inherent in political propaganda.
