On les aura ! 2e Emprunt de la Défense Nationale. Souscrivez

On les aura ! 2e Emprunt de la Défense Nationale. Souscrivez

War Bonds

A poster of a young French solider looking back to his assumed comrades, and calling "on les aura!" (We'll get them!). He is marching forward, with gun in hand, in what would be a westerly direction on paper, toward what can only be the war front. His face is dirty, and his uniform is worn, but he looks ready, even eager, to keep fighting. He is strong and ready to defend his country. Despite his obvious youth, the solider seems to represent a new ideal of masculinity, one based on war. Given that the poster was published in 1916, after the war had already stagnated, it is understandable that the French wanted to reinvigorate their people. The solider's generic uniform and commonplace features allowed viewers to envision themselves in the solider's position. Given the simple imagery and tagline of this poster, it could easily be assumed that it is a recruitment poster. However, the poster ends with, "2e Emprunt de la Défense Nationale. Souscrivez" (2nd National Defense Loan. Subscribe). There is no mystery. It is direct, simple, and plain in its method of attack. After viewing the heroic young soldier, passers-by would have felt as if their contribution would directly add to the outcome at the war.

Faivre, Abel

McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tulsa. 2933 E. 6th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74104-3123

Devambez Imp., Paris

1916

French

Poster

1992.004.5.172

France

Poster

117.2 x 84 cm