Object Details
- Artist
- K. M. Bara
- Lithographer
- Schmidt Lithography Company, active 1872 - 1964
- Sitter
- John Joseph Pershing, 13 Sep 1860 - 15 Jul 1948
- Exhibition Label
- Born Laclede, Missouri
- During World War I, posters seemed to promise a fast, efficient medium for communicating with the home front, and painters, cartoonists, and illustrators volunteered their artistic talents as a patriotic gesture. California artist K. M. Bara’s “You Are Wanted by U.S. Army” recruiting poster depicts General John J. Pershing, the renowned commander of the American Expeditionary Force. Because of two famous advertising campaigns, Uncle Sam’s “I Want You for the U.S. Army” and Lord Kitchener’s “Your Country Needs You” in England, the pointing or outstretched hand became a frequent motif for poster propaganda during the war. In addition to that exhorting gesture, Bara used bold coloring and a lively composition of crossing diagonals with the upward-charging horse and the twisting figure. For those who missed the reference to a famous equestrian portrait, Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David, Pershing’s recognizable figure was authoritative all on its own.
- Nacido en Laclede, Misuri
- Durante la Primera Guerra Mundial, los carteles ofrecían un medio rápido y eficiente de comunicarse con el público del país, y los pintores, caricaturistas e ilustradores aportaron su talento artístico como gesto patriótico. El cartel de reclutamiento “You Are Wanted by U.S. Army”, del artista californiano K. M. Bara, muestra al general John J. Pershing, renombrado comandante de la Fuerza Expedicionaria Estadounidense. Debido a otras dos famosas campañas publicitarias—“I Want You for the U.S. Army” con el Tío Sam, y en Inglaterra “Your Country Needs You” con Lord Kitchener—, la mano que apunta o se extiende hacia el observador se había convertido en motivo frecuente de los carteles de propaganda. Además del gesto de exhortación, Bara utiliza colores llamativos y una dinámica composición de diagonales cruzadas, con el caballo encabritado y el jinete inclinado hacia atrás. Para quienes no captaran la alusión a un famoso retrato ecuestre—Napoleón cruzando los Alpes, de JacquesLouis David—la reconocible figura de Pershing era imponente por sí sola.
- Credit Line
- National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
- c. 1917
- Object number
- NPG.2003.68
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Type
- Medium
- Color lithographic poster
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 106.7 x 72.5cm (42 x 28 9/16")
- Board: 113 x 77.5cm (44 1/2 x 30 1/2")
- A to G depth: 7/8"
- See more items in
- National Portrait Gallery Collection
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Title
- You are Wanted by the U.S. Army
- National Portrait Gallery
- Topic
- Costume\Headgear\Military
- Nature & Environment\Animal\Horse
- Personal Attribute\Facial Hair\Mustache
- Poster
- Poster\Political
- John Joseph Pershing: Male
- John Joseph Pershing: Military and Intelligence\Army\Officer\General
- John Joseph Pershing: Literary awards\Pulitzer Prize
- John Joseph Pershing: Civilian awards\Congressional Gold Medal
- Portrait
- Record ID
- npg_NPG.2003.68
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm408ba8352-17ee-430c-b740-2da0abd1865f
