Non aux accords de Bonn et de Paris 1952

Created in 1952 by celebrated French graphic artist Paul Colin, this powerful poster stands as a stark visual rejection of the Bonn and Paris Agreements—key treaties aimed at rearming West Germany and integrating it into Western military structures during the early Cold War. Commissioned by the Conseil National du Mouvement de la Paix, France’s national peace movement, the poster became a symbol of leftist and pacifist resistance against what was seen as a dangerous escalation of militarization in postwar Europe.

The design is deceptively simple but emotionally charged. Against a muted olive background, a group of large, inky black birds—resembling crows or vultures—swoop downward, forming a chaotic, almost menacing composition. Their stark forms contrast heavily with the background, evoking fear, death, and foreboding. The bold headline at the top—“NON aux accords de Bonn et de Paris”—is uncompromising in its message, its large black letters echoing the weight of the birds themselves. Tucked in the bottom corner is a small line drawing of a couple embracing, a delicate symbol of human vulnerability and the yearning for peace amidst geopolitical tension.

Colin’s poster was part of a broader movement opposing West Germany’s rearmament and integration into NATO, which many in France, particularly within the communist and peace-activist spheres, feared would destabilize a fragile postwar Europe and provoke further conflict with the Soviet bloc. This sentiment was especially strong among those who had lived through two devastating world wars.

Blending avant-garde visual techniques with political urgency, this poster is a striking example of how design and activism intersect. Paul Colin, best known for his Art Deco work and collaborations with Josephine Baker, shows here a different facet of his artistry—one that embraces raw minimalism and emotional immediacy to communicate a deep and urgent call for peace.

Politics - War - 39-45 - France

National Council of the Peace Movement - Special to the council

Printed in Paris

Good condition, creases, small tears