<< HEARTFIELD CHRONOLOGY - ALL YEARS1916 1917 1918 1919 1920

“If the army of photomontage creators were counted,
it would probably number tens of thousands.” 
Russian Heartfield Biographer Sergei Tretyakov
Russian Heartfield Biographer Sergei Tretyakov

Malik-Verlag, Heartfield & Herzfelde’s Famous German Publishing Changes Book Covers Forever, Berlin 1917

Malik Verlag was founded by John Heartfield in 1917. Heartfield created the concept of 3D wrap-around book dust jackets as a partner in this famous Berlin publishing company. His dust jackets, or book covers, told a “story” from the front of the book to the back. Heartfield also invented a new form of typography. His letters were seamless elements of the graphic design of the book cover.

John’s brother, Wieland Herzfelde, returns from the front and becomes an invaluable partner in Malik Verlag. Heartfield handles the graphic design. Wieland takes care of the business aspect.

Heartfield is also working as a film set designer for the Grünbaum brothers during this period. His energy appears boundless.

Heartfield and George Grosz explore subtle, yet very persuasive, visual means of placing anti-war propaganda into collage postcards sent to the German front.

Heartfield becomes director of the Military Educational Film Service (later named the UFA). It’s work he loves. He is fascinated with film. He directs four films for the UFA. They have been lost to time.

Also this year, John Heartfield marries his first wife, Helene Balzer.

Professor John J Heartfield is John Heartfield’s paternal grandson. He gives live interactive presentations around the world that focus on his grandfather’s life and work and modern political art. Please write to him to request his presence at your event or ask any question. He is always pleased to hear from exhibition visitors.

Dada Political Artist John Heartfield grandson, John Heartfield, Curator Official John Heartfield Exhibition