Ils meurent pour vous - Victoire 1946

This powerful original 1946 poster by renowned French graphic artist Paul Colin (1892–1985) was created in the aftermath of World War II for the Organisme National d’Aide aux Combattants under the high presidency of General de Gaulle. Titled “Ils Meurent Pour Vous – Victoire” (They Die For You – Victory), the poster is both a commemoration and a call to solidarity.

Rendered in Colin’s bold chiaroscuro style, it depicts a kneeling French soldier silhouetted against the dawn sky, his weapon poised towards the horizon. Behind him lie the faint outlines of fallen comrades, underscoring the poster’s solemn message of sacrifice. The simple yet emotionally charged typography conveys urgent patriotism and post-war gratitude.

Paul Colin, one of the greatest poster designers of the Art Deco era, was celebrated for his theatre, cabaret, and political works. Here, his graphic precision and emotional clarity serve a national cause, urging public support for veterans who fought and died for liberation.

A deeply evocative historical artefact, this poster resonates today as a reminder of France’s liberation struggle and the human cost of victory. It is ideal for collectors of WWII memorabilia, French patriotic art, or Paul Colin’s wide-ranging oeuvre.

War 39-45 - Propaganda - France

National Organization for Aid to Combatants under the High Presidency of General De Gaulle

Printed by De Plas

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