American Illustration
and the First World War

Beneker, Betts, Booth, Christy, Flagg, Gibson, Stahr, Leyendecker, Rockwell, Price, Tyng

American Illustration and the First World War debuted to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the resolution of “The War to End All Wars.” When the First World War broke out in June 1914, United States President Woodrow Wilson declared the US to be neutral, a popular decision with the public. However, as the War escalated over several years, the United States Congress ultimately declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917. Just one week later, President Wilson formed the Committee on Public Information with the purpose to “sell” Americans on the War and change public support in his favor.

Charles Dana Gibson, one of America’s most popular illustrators, was named head of the Division of Pictorial Publicity. In just over 19 months, Gibson and an army of over 300 artists, all unpaid volunteers, produced 1,438 designs for posters, buttons, cards, cartoons, and more to flood the Nation with their message. These widely circulated images strived to accomplish one of three primary goals: to raise money, to conserve food and resources, or to promote enlistment and patriotism.

Featuring original paintings, works on paper, vintage posters, and accompanying artifacts, American Illustration and the First World War highlights the essential work the American illustrators accomplished in swaying opinions and rallying National support for the war effort.

These WWI artworks are powerful, emotional reminders of the hardships and threats the United States faced during this time, and highlight the critical role the American illustrators played in the outcome of the War.

Gerrit A. Beneker (1882-1934)
Partners for Victory
1918, oil on canvas
50” x 40”, signed upper right
J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951)
New Year’s Baby 1917
1916, oil on canvas
24” x 18 1/2”, signed lower right
Saturday Evening Post, December 30, 1916 cover
Ethel Franklin Betts (1878-1956)
Lest We Perish - Campaign for $30,000,000
1918, lithograph - paper
28" x 20 1/8", signed upper right
Poster for American Committee For Relief in the Near East - Armenia - Greece - Syria - Persia , One Madison Ave., New York
Paul Stahr (1883-1953)
The Lost Man of War
1918, watercolor with gouache
30” x 22 3/8”, signed lower left
Life Magazine, July 11, 1918 cover
James Montgomery Flagg (1877-1960)
Together We Win
lithograph - paper mounted on canvas
39 1/2" x 28 2/3", signed lower right of image
Poster for the United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation
Griswold Tyng (1883-1960)
World War I Uncle Sam
1918, crayon and gouache on board
38” x 28”, signed lower left
Possible World War I poster
Howard Chandler Christy (1873-1952)
Gee!! I Wish I Were A Man. I’d Join the Navy. Be a Man and Do It.
1918, lithograph
27” x 41”, signed & dated lower center
United States Navy Recruiting Station poster
Franklin Booth (1874-1948)
How Much Will You Lend to the Boys Who Are Giving All - Buy Liberty Bonds
lithograph - paper on canvas
41 1/8" x 27 1/4", signed upper left
Poster for The United States Printing & Lithograph Co., New York
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
Till the Boys Come Home
1918, oil on canvas
29 1/2” x 23 1/2”, signed lower right
Life Magazine, August 15, 1918 cover
Norman Mills Price (1877-1951)
Bagged in France
1918, oil on canvas
38” x 25”, signed lower right
Hercules Sporting Powders Calendar, 1919
Charles Dana Gibson (1867-1944)
Help! The Women’s Land Army of America - Poster
1918, lithograph
39”” x 26”, signed lower center
World War I original poster
Charles Dana Gibson (1867-1944)
Help! The Women’s Land Army of America
1918, pen and ink on illustration board
23 1/4" x 19 1/4", signed lower center
Life Magazine, May 23, 1918 cover
And World War I original poster

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American Illustration
and the First World War