Heartfield - Hitler Swallows Gold and Spouts Junk

John Heartfield

Hitler swallows gold and spouts junk

There is no confusion in what Heartfield is trying to say in this image:

Heartfield's visual language is quite clearly stating his opinions of Hitler and the Nazi movement, this image comprise of images taken by his employed photographer and images he acquired from propaganda material and newspapers. From the collection of these images, Heartfield then deliberates over many ideas and combinations to assemble an image. Thereafter, Heartfield then carefully cuts the images apart, seamlessly incorporating them into a single, surreal image. This technique is commonly used even to today as a process called photomontage. This process can be either performed by hand or on photoshop. This eerie, seamlessly perfect, completely manufactured image is completely spellbindingly impressive, the thought that over 60 years ago, when photography and image development was still so experimental and the only resources heartfelt had at his disposal were newspapers, propaganda and whatever images his photographer could muster up.

The image suggests many ideas and concepts of Heartfield's opinions and choosing:

Hitler is gutless, heartless;

The lack of organs within Hitler will suggest this.

Harsh overall contrasts of the image;

Suggests the harshness of the situation, of Hitler himself, as a reflection of his vileness.

Soft facial features, soft lines - Uncrisp;

This reflects on the naivety and stupidity of Hitler as a person, the fact that his face is so simplified, with open mouthed and squinting eyes, he does not look like that of an intelligent person.

Even in the image title; Hitler swallows gold and spouts junk the purpose of the image is very clear;

Swallows Gold;

The amount of German money that comes through Hitler to fund his demanding, expanding empire and to satisfy his selfish needs.

Spouts junk;

The lies, deceit and bias opinions the Hitler spreads across the world, plaguing the minds and lives of everyone.