This is such a charming Polish circus poster by key artist from the Polish School of Posters Wiktor Gorka. It was first designed and printed in 1968, but was so popular it was reprinted again in 1974 and finally in 1980 (this 3rd edition).

As with so many Polish posters there is a deeper hidden meaning beneath the joyful surface. From 1945-1989, when Poland was under strict Communist rule, monkeys were used to depict people in power. They often appear in the Cyrk (State circus) posters as there is also a famous Polish proverb which translates as 'Not my circus, not my monkey'. The design of the poster would have been to have a sly dig at the Communist state - not my circus, not my government.

Polish B1 size: 67 x 96 cm