(Berlin, Germany, 1891 - 1968, East Berlin, Germany)
1933
Photogravure
14 3/4 x 10 1/4 in. (37.6 x 26.2 cm)
Collection of the Akron Art Museum
Gift of Roger R. Smith
1991.22
© Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn
Alfred Hugenberg (1865-1951) was a German industrialist and media magnate who used his newspapers and radio stations to preach nationalism. He became head of a political party that made tactical alliances with the Nazi party and was appointed Hitler’s first minister of economics and agriculture on January 30, 1933. In June he was forced to resign and his political party was disbanded by Nazi pressure, represented here by the swastika-shaped lightning. The balloons summarize Hugenberg’s political career. Heartfield puns with Hugenberg’s name, rhyming Berg (mountain) with Zwerg (dwarf).