| u0003_0004200_0000046 |
| Title | Your Country Needs You |
| Creator | Rolf Armstrong |
| Date | 1916 |
| Format | 15 x 20 in |
| Description | Rolf Armstrong’s poster for the Navy League, a civilian organization dedicated to supporting the U.S. Navy, was published in 1916, months before the U.S. officially entered WWI. Although the U.S. did not commit troops until April of 1917, many organizations began preparations for possible U.S. intervention as early as 1914. Armstrong’s poster casts a wide net by persuading citizens to participate in a broad range of activities regardless of age or gender. At the center of the poster is a tight shot of a white sailor in a pristine white uniform saluting the viewer in front of a porthole through which a silhouette of the Statue of Liberty is visible. Through the expert use of shading, Armstrong illustrates subtle details in the musculature of the man’s face. His bold facial features and piercing eyes communicate confidence and strength, and while his masculinity is overtly displayed, the subject also carries features reminiscent of a porcelain doll. Armstrong is clearly experimenting with variations in the size, font, and color of the text in order to gain attention, and while the end result is perhaps too cluttered and inconsistent, the verbal material is itself fascinating. Although the large text on the top of the poster asking viewers to “JOIN THE NAVY!” implies a young, male audience, the smaller text on the right and left of the saluting soldier contends that plenty of work is available for women and those who have passed the age limit. Of course, like most WWI posters, the verbal and visual communication deflects the participation of racial minorities. |
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