BACKGROUND: Artwork, as a propaganda tool, was widely used during the Third Reich and Hitler’s own humble artistic background also helped foster a general interest in German art. Many art exhibitions were held through-out German during the time period with the largest being held annually, ever summer from 1937 to 1944, at the German House of Art in Munich. As early as 1938 the OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, (High Command of the Armed Forces), actively began recruiting artists who were assigned to a units Propaganda Company along with photographers and journalists. By the end of the war almost two hundred war artists had served in the Wehrmacht. One of the most prolific, and as a result, one of the best known German war artists was Feldwebel Wolfgang Willrich. Willrich a WWI veteran, had volunteer for military service prior to the outbreak of WWII but had been rejected on the basis of his age, (42), and was assigned to Landwehr I as a trained reserve. Through his personal friendship with Erwin Rommel Willrich was able to secure a position in the OKH visual arts section of the Propaganda department. In this position Willrich painted and drew numerous personalities and regular soldiers in all branches of service through-out the war.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 10.5cm x 15cm, mid-weight card stock, black and white artwork postcard features artwork of General Erwin Rommel in uniform and greatcoat with visor cap and goggles. The visible uniform details include the Larisch type collar tabs, and the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and the Pour-le-Merite. The background features Willrich’s distinctive "W" initial cypher interspersed with the date, "1940". This one is an interesting example s it is Italian made, printed in "Roma".