Analysis of the Narrative Art of Propaganda Pictures in China (1949 - 1976)

The propaganda posters of New China from 1949 to 1976 served as the core visual communication medium during a specific historical period. They were not only an important form of artistic creation but also a narrative text that carried the spirit of the times and social demands. During this period, the propaganda posters used visual symbols as the narrative art. Through systematic image construction, theme focus, and communication practice, a unique narrative system was formed. Based on the dual perspectives of historical context and artistic ontology, this paper explores the narrative artistic features of the propaganda posters of New China from three dimensions: the value orientation of narrative themes, the encoding logic of narrative symbols, and the communication efficacy of narrative structure. By combining specific case studies, it examines how the New China propaganda posters achieved the unity of artistic expression and social function in the context of the times, providing theoretical references for understanding the visual cultural narrative of a specific historical period.