A Sign of the Times: WWI Poster Collection

Presenter: Erika Schneider, Ph.D., Professor of Art History & Museum Studies Coordinator
Hybrid Program: Zoom and On-site at Edgell Memorial Library (3 Oak Street, Framingham)

When the United States entered the Great War in April 1917, the government launched a full-scale home front galvanization to increase American support and bolster the Allies’ economy.  Some of the most well-known posters include James Montgomery Flagg’s iconic “I Want You” poster and Howard Chandler Christy’s image, “Fight or Buy Bonds.” As part of this effort, the US government distributed posters across the country, mostly to local post offices, and the Framingham History Center has several of these works.  This presentation considers graphic design in the context of the history of art to demonstrate the influence of established tropes and the ingenuity of early twentieth-century illustrators to establish an American style.  

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This program is supported by a grant from the Bridge Street Fund, a special initiative of Mass Humanities.