In the Weimar Republic, Walter Trier was a popular caricaturist and illustrator. In 1929, his book created collaboratively with author Erich Kästner was published: “Emil und die Detektive” (Emil and the die Detectives). This was to be followed by 14 more. With the ban of Kästner’s work from 1933 onwards, some of Trier’s work also disappeared from public view. His final work on a children’s book in Germany – illustrations for “Die Abenteuer des Tom Sawyer und Huckleberry Finn” (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn) – were published in 1936.

Although Trier’s works were not officially banned from 1933, their self-deprecating and often biting humour was increasingly rejected. As the artist was struggling to make a living and was also being persecuted as a Jew, he emigrated to London with his wife and daughter in late 1936. There he worked for different newspapers and magazines, and illustrated books and brochures. In 1938, Trier took part in the exhibitions “Twentieth Century German Art” and “Freie Deutsche Kunst” (Free German Art) held by the Artists’ International Association (AIA). From 1940 onwards, he was also increasingly active as a political caricaturist, including on behalf of the British Ministry of Information and the German-language exile newspaper “Die Zeitung”.

In 1947, Walter Trier emigrated onward to Canada, where he took part in various exhibitions and worked successfully as a commercial graphic artist. Against the backdrop of the beginning of the Cold War and on the initiative of Jella Lepman in collaboration with Erich Kästner, Trier helped create the political children’s book “Die Konferenz der Tiere”, 1949 (The Animals’ Conference).

Trier's illustrations are still popular - especially in connection with the work of Erich Kästner.

Selected works:
Emil und die Detektive (Illustrations for the novel by Erich Kästner, 1929)
Die Abenteuer des Tom Sawyer und Huckleberry Finn (Illustrations for the novel by Mark Twain, 1936)
Lilliput (Cover design of the monthly magazine, 1937-1949)
Nazi-Deutsch in 22 Lektionen (Flyer, 1942)
Die Konferenz der Tiere (Illustrations for the novel by Erich Kästner, 1949)

Further reading:
Warthorst, Antje M.: Walter Trier. Die Biografie, Berlin: Favoritenpresse 2021
Warthorst, Antje M.: Die Bilderwelt des Walter Trier, Berlin: Favoritenpresse 2022