This original 1917 poster printed in lithograph was designed by Georges Redon for Société Générale during the First World War. Its French slogan translates as: “So that your children may never know the horrors of war, subscribe to the National Loan.” The poster was printed in Paris by Devambez.
Redon depicts an intimate domestic scene in which a mother tenderly embraces her sleeping child. Above the bed hangs the framed portrait of an absent French soldier, while a traditional Alsatian doll rests against the pillow, introducing a discreet patriotic reference to the territories of Alsace-Lorraine.
Unlike many wartime posters dominated by soldiers, weapons and scenes of combat, this composition appeals directly to parental love and the desire to protect future generations. Its restrained palette and delicate drawing reinforce the vulnerability of the family, while the bold red lettering transforms this emotional image into an urgent appeal.
The poster was produced for France’s Third National Defence Loan of 1917, one of several public fundraising campaigns organised to finance the continuing war effort. By presenting financial participation as a means of securing a peaceful future, Redon connected private family life with a broader patriotic responsibility.
Georges Redon was a French painter, illustrator, caricaturist and poster artist closely associated with the artistic life of Montmartre. This moving work is an important example of French First World War propaganda and will appeal to collectors of historic posters, banking memorabilia and early twentieth-century graphic art.
Original Poster
Economy - War - 1914-1918 - France - Alsace
Printed by Devambez in Paris
Good condition, some creases, soiling, restoration
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