Pyrénées 1936

The 1936 original poster by Pierre Mail, created during the Spanish Civil War, carries a powerful political and symbolic message. The poster, titled "Pyrénées – Guerre d'Espagne – Tant que moi, République d'Espagne, je vivrai, nul ne les franchira. Français ! Sois tranquille", reflects the tensions between Spain’s republican government and the rising forces of fascism, while also addressing concerns in neighboring France about the war spilling over its borders.

The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939) was a deeply polarizing conflict, not only for Spain but for much of Europe. The poster’s central message is aimed at reassuring the French public that as long as the Spanish Republic stood strong, the conflict would remain contained, symbolically protected by the Pyrenees Mountains that form the natural border between France and Spain.

Pierre Mail was a prominent artist during this period, known for his ability to communicate political and social messages through visual art. His work in this poster is strikingly bold, emphasizing the strength and endurance of the Republic of Spain in the face of internal and external threats. The slogan "Tant que moi, République d'Espagne, je vivrai, nul ne les franchira" (As long as I, the Republic of Spain, live, no one will cross [the Pyrenees]) is a direct appeal to the French audience, promising that the Spanish Republic would prevent the war from spilling over into France.

The phrase "Français ! Sois tranquille" (Frenchman! Be calm) was particularly important in its attempt to ease French fears of a fascist incursion or refugee crisis at the border. At the same time, it also subtly calls for solidarity between the French and Spanish republics, both facing internal and external pressures from authoritarian forces at the time.

The Pyrenees, long a symbol of separation and protection, take on a dual role in this poster as both a physical and ideological barrier. By using the mountains as a metaphor, Mail underscores the strength of the Spanish Republic and its ability to defend itself against the rising fascist threat.

This poster not only sought to inspire confidence in Spain’s ability to defend its borders but also served as a call for international awareness and perhaps subtle support for the Spanish Republican cause. During this period, many international intellectuals, artists, and political figures, including in France, were passionately engaged in the fight to support the Spanish Republic against Franco’s Nationalist forces.

The poster by Pierre Mail has become an iconic piece of political art from the Spanish Civil War, reflecting the fears, hopes, and complexities of a conflict that would eventually have repercussions across Europe, including the rise of fascist regimes in Spain and elsewhere. It remains a symbol of republican resistance and international solidarity, capturing a critical moment in European history.

Original Poster

War - Politics - Propaganda

War of Spain - As long as I republic of Spain I will live, no one will cross them - French! Be quiet

Good condition, traces of folds