DICK ELFFERS (1910-1990) SCHAAK OLYMPIADE. 1954. 361/4x261/2 inches. Gebr. Vermolen, Amsterdam. Condition A-: creases and minor tears in left margin; pinholes in corners. Paper. After studying in Rotterdam, Elffers became an assistant to Paul Schuitema and Piet Zwart, the two rigorous constructivist masters. The shock of the Second World War served to drastically alter his style, as seen in his crudely expressionistic 1946 poster Vigilant Democracy, which represented a turning point in his career. He designed a prodigious number of posters for the Holland Festival and other cultural events. He has a rich figurative style and uses strong basic colors, organizing his images like flamboyant paper patchwork quilts. These two posters are archetypal examples of his style. Graphis Annual 1956/7, no. 133.
