Caricatures of the famous Danish graphic artist H. Bidstrup at an exhibition in Moscow

By visiting the State Museum of the History of Modern Russia, you can still see an exhibition of caricatures of an outstanding graphic artist from Denmark by Herluf Bidstrup until September 30. Wonderful work is familiar to almost everyone, but most people are unfamiliar with the personality of the artist.

Bidstrup was born in Berlin, but received an art education in his parents’ homeland, in Denmark, graduating from the famous Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen. The first popularity came to the young artist when, in the 30s, his brilliant cartoons began to appear in Danish newspapers and magazines, exposing the appearance of fascism.

During the Nazi occupation of Denmark, Bidstrup had to go illegally, but his new drawings served to design postcards and leaflets. After the war, he became the chief artist of a newspaper published by the Danish Communists, where his satirical works, making fun of the emerging neo-fascism, continued to enjoy immense popularity.

Humorous series of cartoons on everyday topics were released by albums, which were reprinted many times, but it was rather difficult to purchase publications, they were sold out instantly. Bidstrup has been to our country more than once. For his work, the artist became an honorary member of the Academy of Arts. The Museum of Modern History in its graphic collection stores 19 caricature originals, which were intended for publication in newspapers.

Many of those who are familiar with Bidstrup’s work only from albums with everyday scenes consider him a comedian artist, but his political cartoons are in no way inferior in quality to the funny stories depicted in the pictures. In each of the artist’s drawings, under the outwardly ridiculous situations, a subtext that is understandable to any person is hidden.

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