Duce, The Living and the Dead Salute You
Propaganda poster issued by the Federazione dei Fasci di Combattimento (Federation of Combat Fasci) in Turin evoking the sacral mythology of sacrifice and political martyrdom as promoted by Fascism.
The names of various fallen Blackshirts (members of the National Fascist Party’s paramilitary wing) can be seen emblazoned in red text across black flags marked with red fasci, signifying their undying devotion to the Duce and the national-revolutionary cause. Its caption reads “Duce, i vivi e i morti ti salutano con il grido della vigilia!” (Duce, the living and the dead salute you with the cry of the vigil!), serving as an ode to these martyrs as well as a re-affirmation of loyalty to the Duce Benito Mussolini. The imagery is also evocative of a quasi-sacral ritualized roll call, wherein fallen militants are portrayed not as absent, but spiritually present with the ongoing revolutionary mission of the movement. Through this fusion of death, sacrifice and militarized solidarity, the poster sought to portray Fascism not merely as a political party, but as a transcendental national order rooted in collective struggle and renewal.
The term “vigilia“, in the caption, is derived from the Latin vigiliae, alluding to Ancient Rome’s legionary nightwatch. The terminology is deliberately employed to convey the martial might of Rome, and Mussolini’s fascist paramilitary as their legitimate successor, embodying vigilance, sacrifice, martial unity and readiness in service of the nation.
The issuing body known as the Federazione dei Fasci di Combattimento was a nationwide political network within Italy that coordinated and mobilized local fascist combat squads to perform anti-socialist security actions as well as propaganda duties, and was instrumental in carrying out Benito Mussolini’s famous March on Rome in 1922. The federation was formalized as a state institution after Mussolini was declared Prime Minister, and wielded enormous influence within the Fascist Italy, continuing to facilitate propaganda, maintaining communication between Mussolini’s central government and provincial fascist leaders, organizing and overseeing political rallies, in addition to mediating disputes between labor groups, industrialists and the state.
Printed by Roggero & Tortia in Turin, c. 1939
138.3 x 97 cm
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Propaganda poster issued by the Federazione dei Fasci di Combattimento (Federation of Combat Fasci) in Turin evoking the sacral mythology of sacrifice and political martyrdom as promoted by Fascism.
The names of various fallen Blackshirts (members of the National Fascist Party’s paramilitary wing) can be seen emblazoned in red text across black flags marked with red fasci, signifying their undying devotion to the Duce and the national-revolutionary cause. Its caption reads “Duce, i vivi e i morti ti salutano con il grido della vigilia!” (Duce, the living and the dead salute you with the cry of the vigil!), serving as an ode to these martyrs as well as a re-affirmation of loyalty to the Duce Benito Mussolini. The imagery is also evocative of a quasi-sacral ritualized roll call, wherein fallen militants are portrayed not as absent, but spiritually present with the ongoing revolutionary mission of the movement. Through this fusion of death, sacrifice and militarized solidarity, the poster sought to portray Fascism not merely as a political party, but as a transcendental national order rooted in collective struggle and renewal.
The term “vigilia“, in the caption, is derived from the Latin vigiliae, alluding to Ancient Rome’s legionary nightwatch. The terminology is deliberately employed to convey the martial might of Rome, and Mussolini’s fascist paramilitary as their legitimate successor, embodying vigilance, sacrifice, martial unity and readiness in service of the nation.
The issuing body known as the Federazione dei Fasci di Combattimento was a nationwide political network within Italy that coordinated and mobilized local fascist combat squads to perform anti-socialist security actions as well as propaganda duties, and was instrumental in carrying out Benito Mussolini’s famous March on Rome in 1922. The federation was formalized as a state institution after Mussolini was declared Prime Minister, and wielded enormous influence within the Fascist Italy, continuing to facilitate propaganda, maintaining communication between Mussolini’s central government and provincial fascist leaders, organizing and overseeing political rallies, in addition to mediating disputes between labor groups, industrialists and the state.
Printed by Roggero & Tortia in Turin, c. 1939
138.3 x 97 cm
