| u0003_0004200_0000108 |
| Title | Will You Help the Women of France? |
| Creator | Edward Penfield |
| Date | 1918 |
| Format | 40 x 60 in |
| Description | This poster by Edward Penfield was part of a broad campaign by the United States Food Administration to encourage Americans to conserve foods such as wheat, sugar, and meat so that they could be sent to troops and allies in Europe. The large, 40 x 60 in. lithograph depicts the plight of three French women, forced to pull a plow in order to avoid starvation. In the absence of farm animals and men, the women must bear the toils of field work while the war persists. The scene is set in a rocky field, and against a black backdrop which provides the perfect contrast for the bold white text at the center-right, “SAVE WHEAT.” Propaganda artists would often experiment with font sizes and color to communicate different messages to audiences based on distance. Those passing by the poster from far-away would likely still receive the simply message to “SAVE WHEAT.” For viewers several feet away, the question “Will you help the Women of France?” would have been a perceptible appeal. Finally, those within a few feet of the image encounter a more detailed verbal narrative, “They are struggling against starvation and trying to feed not only themselves and children: but their husbands and sons who are fighting in the trenches.” Thus, the poster exploits the suffering of French women both verbally and visually to stir the sympathies of the audience. |
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