It’s Quite True – Remember, a Small Feather Can Turn into Five Hens!
Original lithographic print from the 1940s, mounted on board in a black-painted wooden frame with glass. Slight wear in the corners.

Background

This poster was commissioned from Storm P. (Robert Storm Petersen) by the Danish Ministry of Justice’s Propaganda Office as part of an awareness campaign during the German occupation of Denmark (1940-1945). At the time, authorities sought to curb gossip and rumors about the German occupying forces, which were spreading rapidly. The poster humorously illustrates how a small remark can quickly grow into a distorted and exaggerated story.

With a clear reference to Hans Christian Andersen’s 1852 fairy tale “It’s Quite True!”, the poster depicts how a conversation between two well-dressed roosters transforms into an increasingly dramatic tale among five loudly clucking hens—symbolized by a single feather floating down from above.

However, the poster soon sparked controversy and was withdrawn from circulation after critics pointed out that the rooster on the left bore a striking resemblance to Denmark’s Prime Minister, Thorvald Stauning. This unexpected controversy turned the poster into a rare and highly sought-after collector’s item, now recognized as both a piece of Danish satire and a reflection of the political climate during the occupation.