An original French First World War propaganda poster designed by Maurice Neumont in 1917. It was issued by La Conférence au Village contre la Propagande Ennemie en France and printed in Paris by P. J. Gallais et Cie.
The composition presents a map of Europe dominated by Prussia, depicted as an enormous octopus whose tentacles extend across neighbouring countries. On the right, a German soldier and a sequence of military uniforms evoke the progressive growth of Prussian militarism.
The headline quotes the French statesman Mirabeau: “War is the national industry of Prussia.” Additional text refers to the Pan-German League and its ambition to raise the German people above what it described as the “inferior peoples of Europe”.
Along the lower border appears a declaration attributed to General Philippe Pétain in June 1917: “Attacked, we are merely defending ourselves in the name of liberty and to save our existence.” At the time, Pétain was Commander-in-Chief of the French Army.
This poster was printed in colour lithography and signed by Maurice Neumont within the image. Combining cartography, caricature and political rhetoric, it is a powerful example of French wartime graphic design and an important historical document from the First World War.
Original Poster
War - 1914-1918 - Propaganda - Austria
Attacked, we are only defending ourselves in the name of liberty and to save our lives. General Pétain
Printed by P.J. Gallais & Co. in Paris
Good condition, creases
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