Dublin Core
Title
That Liberty Shall Not Perish From the Earth
Subject
War Bonds
Description
The main body of the poster contains a bright image of the New York City skyline in flames. Skyscrapers and airplanes are visible in the background, but the fire mostly obscures them. In the foreground stands what is left of the Statue of Liberty. Half of the statue's head has fallen to its base, where a black eagle spreads its wings over it. The text below the image reads "That Liberty Shall Not, Perish From the Earth, Buy Liberty Bonds, Fourth Liberty Loan". As the last line of the poster's words suggest, the poster was created to sell war bonds. It is American in origin, and presents an America ravaged by war.
Joseph Pennell drew heavily on national symbolism when he made this poster. Few images invoke American pride quite like the Statue of Liberty. Pennell uses another national symbol from the Great War as well, the black imperial eagle of Germany. To have that eagle spread its wings over the Statue of Liberty's decapitated head paints a grim picture of a possible future. It shows America in a state of destruction brought on by a German invasion. This poster would have attracted viewers' attention with its bright orange flames alone, but the artist is able to tell a story by using national symbols that an American passerby in the street could put together.
Joseph Pennell drew heavily on national symbolism when he made this poster. Few images invoke American pride quite like the Statue of Liberty. Pennell uses another national symbol from the Great War as well, the black imperial eagle of Germany. To have that eagle spread its wings over the Statue of Liberty's decapitated head paints a grim picture of a possible future. It shows America in a state of destruction brought on by a German invasion. This poster would have attracted viewers' attention with its bright orange flames alone, but the artist is able to tell a story by using national symbols that an American passerby in the street could put together.
Creator
Joseph Pennell
Source
McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tulsa. 2933 E. 6th St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104-3213
Publisher
Heywood Strasser & Voigt Litho. Co. N.Y., imp.
Date
1918
Contributor
N/A
Rights
N/A
Relation
N/A
Format
103.9 x 76 cm
Language
English
Type
Poster
Identifier
1992.004.5.93
Coverage
United States of America