Raising a Flag over the Reichstag - by Yevgeny Khaldei

one of the most significant images of the 20th century
with original signature of the photographer

Raising a Flag over the Reichstag is an iconic World War II photograph, taken during the Battle of Berlin on 2 May 1945. The photograph was reprinted in thousands of publications and came to be regarded around the world as one of the most significant and recognisable images of the 20th century.

Khaldei's photograph of the red flag, which was hoisted at the Berlin Reichstag on May 2, 1945, is today considered worldwide to be one of the most important and well-known images of the 20th century.

With his photographs, the young photographer Yevgeny Khaldei documented the war between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. His image of the Red Army soldiers raising the red flag on the Reichstag building became an icon of contemporary history, a symbol of the defeat of fascism.

The print offered here is a special one, namely the "unofficial" variant of the well-known motif: wristwatches can be recognised on both wrists of the second soldier, who is holding his comrades balancing on the stone ornament as a precaution. It was obvious that these were loot shortly after the invasion of the capital, but they were not exactly meant to be presented to the world public. So Khaldei retouched away the right watch for the "official" picture released for publication.

poster print, 60 x 80 cm

signed by Yevgeny Khaldei

© Sammlung Ernst Volland