Hage Kernseife. ca. 1922.

Artist: MIHÁLY BIRÓ (1886-1948)
Size: 37 1/4 x 49 1/2 in./94.7 x 125.7 cm
Condition: B+/ Slight tears at folds.
Printer: J. Weiner, Wien
Reference: Ref: Biró, 138
Key Words: Art Deco; Black Images

Hage Kernseife. ca. 1922.
Biró was a prominent advocate and posterist for the Social Democratic Party in Hungary; he's perhaps best known for his "Horthy Album" about the horrors of white terror in that country. It is peculiar, then, that he would create a racially insensitive design such as this one—indeed, it's quite the stand-alone image in his catalogue raisonné. But while living in Vienna, he became quite famous, and was offered a good amount of commercial work. Perhaps his decision to design this poster proves the proliferation and acceptance of racist imagery during this time.