We've all heard the phrase: "a picture is worth 1000 words." Most of the posters from WWI defied that, relying heavily on text or on a particular catch phrase. Some, though, spoke entirely or almost so just from the image.
AC0433-0009786Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
This is a more typical example of the style of the time: direct address ("Little Americans"), with some detailed information, ending in a clear message ("Leave nothing on your plate.").
Destroy This Mad Brute Destroy This Mad BruteSmithsonian's National Museum of American History
As certain images and tropes were used over and over again, they became more familiar to audiences and could be refined. For example, "Destroy this mad brute" could become ...
AC0433-0009757Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
This, with the text reduced to a single punctuation mark.
AC0433-0009827Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Similarly, images of Liberty could speak for themselves, just by being imposed on a recognizable image. Here. the message is that America is entering the war, steaming across the Atlantic.
AC0433-0000510Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
This poster draws upon many contemporary perceptions of women and their roles in society: nurturing, imploring, offering, supporting ... she's a beauty in a nurse's virginal garb.
AC0433-0009779Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
This has a more classical resonance: a goddess investing the hero with a mission.
AC0433-0001563Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
Here history comes into play: Uncle Sam takes the hand of a hero from the past, perhaps gesturing to the role of the French in the American Revolution. Lafayette, we are here?
AC0433-0009817aSmithsonian's National Museum of American History
Last, we can note the excitement and anticipation of glory that welcomed the war in 1914. It didn't last.
