During World War 1 the impact of the poster as a means of communication was greater than at any other time during history. The ability of poster to inspire, inform, and persuade combined with vibrant design trends in many of the participating countries to produce thousands of interesting visual works. As a valuable historical research resource, the posters provide multiple points of view for understanding this global conflict. As artistic works, the posters range in style form graphically vibrant works by well-known designers to anonymous ones.
Library of Congress, Washington D.C.
This is Part 3 of a 10-part series on WW1 posters:
1915 For the Glory of Ireland (published in Dublin, Ireland) |
1915 Halt! Who goes there? Parliamentary Recruiting Committee (UK) |
1915 Irishmen Avenge the Lusitania artist unknown (signed W.E.T. Ireland) |
1915 L'Entente Cordiale 1915 (Anglo-French Agreement) (artist unknown, Germany) |
1915 L'Infanterie Francaise Dans La Bataille artist H. Delaspre (1894-1915 France) |
1915 Lend your Five Shillings to your Country and Crush the Germans artist unknown (D.D.P.) |
1915 Ohé les Copains! (Hey Lads!) artist Alphonse Grebel (1885-1968 France) |
1915 Rugby Union Footballers are Doing Their Duty (artist unknown) |
1915 Share Jewish Relief Campaign artist Alfred F. Burke (1893-1936 USA) |
Georges Picard (1857-1943) |
1915 Journée de Paris (Paris Day) artist Georges Picard (1857-1943) |
Francisque Poulbot (6 February 1879, Saint-Denis – 16 September 1946, Paris) was a French affichiste (literally, "poster designer"), draughtsman and illustrator. Born into a teaching family – his parents were both lecturers – Francisque Poulbot was the eldest of seven children. He was a gifted draughtsman, but shied away from the École des Beaux-Arts. From 1900, his drawings started to be published in the press. He moved to Montmartre, and in February 1914 married Léona Ondernard, before leaving for the Front; he was however sent back the following year. During the First World War, he drew patriotic posters and postcards, for which he was put under house arrest under the German occupation of France during World War II. In 1920–1921, being very attached to the Montmartre life, Poulbot became involved in creating the République de Montmartre, with his friends Adolphe Willette, Jean-Louis Forain and Maurice Neumont. In 1923 he opened a dispensary on the Rue Lepic to help the needy children of Montmartre. He died in Paris on 16 September 1946 and was buried in Montmartre Cemetery.
Francisque Poulbot |
Poilu (hairy one) was a popular informal term for French infantrymen. Journee du Poilu translates to Day of the Hairy (meaning Trench Soldier) and the medal was a fundraiser for front line French infantry related to the Poilu's holiday on December 25 and 26, 1915.
1915 Journée du poilu (Day of the Hairy) Artist Francisque Poulbot |
1916 La Baïonnette Nos Blesses artist Francisque Poulbot |
1916 Emprunt Français 5 percent (Loan) 1916 |
1918 They Shall Not Pass! |
1915 Journée du Poilu, Organisée par le Parlement |
1915 La Journée du Poilu (Soldier's Day) |
1915 La Journée du Poilu (Soldier's Day) reversed image of the above |
1917 Journée de l'Armée d'Afrique et des Troupes Coloniales (African Army and Colonial Troops Day) |
1918 Compagnie Algeriénne (Algerian Company) 3e Emprunt de la Défense Nationale |
1918 Emprunt de la Libération (Liberation Loan) |
1918 Chambre des Notaires de Beauvais Emprunt de la Libération (Liberation Loan) |
1918 Four Years in the Fight The Women of France We Owe Them Houses of Cheer |
c1918 Crédit Commercial De France |
n.d. Emprunt de la Libération |
Gino de Finetti (1897-1955) Italian painter |
1915 Liebesgaben für das Feldheer (Alms for the Army in the Field) artist Gino de Finetti |
1915 Œuvre du Soldat Belge (Charity for the Belgian Soldier) artist Maurice Romberg (France) |
1917 Le Secours de Guerre Foire de Saint-Sulpice (The War Relief Loan of Saint-Sulpice) artist Maurice Romberg 1862-1943 (France) |
1918 Compagnie Algérienne Emprunt de la Libération artist Maurice Romberg |
Jules Able Faivre 1867-1945 France |
1915 Pour La France Versez Votre Or (For France Pour Your Gold) artist Jules Abel Faivre |
1916 On les Aura! (We will have them!) artist Jules Abel Faivre |
1917 3e Emprunt de la défense nationale Crédit Lyonnais artist Jules Abel Faivre |
1918 4e Emprunt de la Défense Nationale (The 4th National Defence Loan) artist Jules Abel Faivre |
1918 Crédit Lyonnais (The 4th National Defence Loan) artist Jules Abel Faivre |
1918 Crédit Lyonnais (Third National Defence Loan) artist Jules Abel Faivre |
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859-1923) was a French-Swiss artist best known for his Art Nouveau poster designs and paintings. Steilen often depicted animals, specifically cats, as well as the bohemian cabaret culture of turn-of-the-century Paris. Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, Steinlen studied design at the University of Lausanne, before moving to Paris amidst the artistic avant-garde in Montmarte. His works are in the collections of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, The Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Théophile Alexandre Steinlen |
1915 Program for the Matinée Extraordinaire, Casino de Paris |
1916 26 Juin 1916 Journée Serbe |
1917 Sur la Terre Ennemie les Prisonniers Russes Meurent de Faim (On Enemy Soil Russian Prisoners are Dying of Hunger) |
1919 L'Aisne Dévastée (Devastated Aisne) |
Sir Bernard Partridge (1861-1945) Painter, illustrator, cartoonist and actor. First worked in an architect's office and for a stained glass firm whilst also performing as an actor in stage plays. He taught anatomy at the Royal Academy and joined 'Punch' in 1891 where he became chief cartoonist in 1901.
1915 Take Up the Sword of Justice after a pastel drawing by Sir Bernard Partridge (UK) |
Rumania's Day based on earlier cartoon in Punch magazine by Sir Bernard Partridge (UK) |
Victory is a Question of Stamina artist Sir Bernard Partridge |