In 1919, Edward Okuń created two almost identical portraits of Józef Piłsudski: an oil painting and a lithograph with a slogan „Vote No. 1 / You will help create a powerful Poland!” that was reproduced as a propaganda print. One of the surviving copies of the leaflet is now displayed at the Museum of Independence in Warsaw.
The realistic profile of the Marshal dressed in the grey uniform of the Polish Legions stands out clearly against the flat ornaments in the background. A mighty white eagle is hugging his shoulders with its wings. The bird’s colouring is in stark contrast with the red of the background, a reference to the colours on the Polish flag. In his outstretched right hand, Pilsudski holds a sword with the blade pointing to the ground. The shape of the handle and the chipped blade suggest it is probably Szczerbiec, the coronation sword of Polish kings. While the famous chip in its blade is in fact located in its middle, Okuń may have been inspired by a well-known legend, according to which Bolesław the Brave chipped his sword striking it against the city gates after the capture of Kiev.
