1973 XX Aniversario Moncada Cuban Revolutionary Propaganda Poster by Julio Eloy

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A powerful addition for high-end collectors of mid-century graphic ephemera and political history, this is an original 1973 hand-pulled revolutionary … Read more A powerful addition for high-end collectors of mid-century graphic ephemera and political history, this is an original 1973 hand-pulled revolutionary political propaganda poster produced in Havana, Cuba.

Designed by the prominent post-revolutionary graphic master Julio Eloy (Julio Eloy Mesa Rodríguez, b. 1943), this minimalist serigraph was printed in the workshops of the ICAIC (Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos) to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic 1953 assault on the Moncada Barracks—the spark that initiated the Cuban Revolution.

Rather than relying on literal military or state portraiture imagery, Julio Eloy leverages a sharp, clean-lined modernist approach. The composition features a bold turquoise-blue backdrop framing a stark typography stack reading "1973 / 1953" directly above an interconnected red-and-white graphic representation of the Roman numeral "XX". It stands as a brilliant example of Latin American political pop art and minimalist color-blocked poster composition.

Reflecting the authentic material realities and global paper shortages of 1970s Cuba, this print is hand-pulled using dense, rich oil-based inks on the signature thin, porous paper stock characteristic of early 1st-edition ICAIC prints. Over the decades, the heavy ink layers have completely saturated the paper fibers, leaving a beautiful ink bleed-through profile visibly evident on the reverse side—the definitive hallmark of a true, hand-screened vintage original.

Artist: Julio Eloy (Cuban, b. 1943)
Workshop: ICAIC (Havana, Cuba)
Year of Print: 1973
Medium: Original Hand-Pulled Serigraph / Silkscreen
Dimensions: Approximately 30" x 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm)

Good (G) to Very Good (VG) Vintage Condition. This original, unrestored Cuban political poster displays beautiful, authentic hallmarks of its 1970s workshop production. Printed on the island's historically accurate very thin paper stock, the heavy ink layers have naturally saturated the paper, making the vibrant paint layers visibly evident from the reverse side—serving as a critical authentication marker against modern digital reproductions. Notable condition factors are limited to standard, authentic handling wear for delicate vintage ephemera: light edge wear, generalized surface creasing, and minor chipping along the margins. The screenprint ink layers remain exceptionally rich, heavy, and saturated with stellar color retention and zero major surface fading. The piece is entirely free of dry rot, heavy staining, or major internal tears. Highly recommended for custom archival framing or professional linen-backing, which will safely flatten and preserve the delicate margins. Please examine all listing photos closely to inspect the paper profile and edge details prior to purchase. See less