Aux Deux Freres Hansi Sign

Colmar, France is known for their many signs throughout old town that were designed by Jean-Jacques Waltz, also known as Hansi. Hansi was a... more

by Teresa Mucha

Title

Aux Deux Freres Hansi Sign

Artist

Teresa Mucha

Medium

Photograph

Description

Colmar, France is known for their many signs throughout old town that were designed by Jean-Jacques Waltz, also known as Hansi. Hansi was a Pro-French activist and satirist who often made fun of the Germans during World War I and World War II through the advertising signs for local establishments in the Alsace Region that were under German occupation.

This sign for a local charcuterie or delicatessen was made in 1932 and is one of his most famous. There is a lot of symbolism in the sign. You see Saint Antoine preaching to a fat pig, the three castles of Eguisheim, a young Alsatian maiden named Gaenselisel leading geese, the two brothers and butchers for which the sign was made and at the very bottom is the Church of Saint Martin in Colmar.

Many of Hansi's signs depicted Germans in a satirical or humorous manner. Hansi was wanted for treason by German authorities and was even jailed for his so called militant works.

Uploaded

July 27th, 2019