BANQUE PRIVEE, 1920. Original WWI French Reconstruction Poster (29 x 43”), (80 cm x 120 cm) originally folded and now linen backed. “Banque Privée. Souscrivez á l’Emprunt de la Reconstitution” (Banque Privée. Subscribe to the reconstruction loan) Art by René Lelong, and printed by French advertising firm Joseph-Charles. This poster was designed to encourage the purchase of reconstruction bonds to help finance the immediate financial needs of France to rebuild at the end of WWI.
Victory is portrayed as a Marianne a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, and a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty walking through a wheat field dotted with poppy flowers. Marianne has been the national symbol of France since it became a Republic in 1799. Her arm is outstretched, and the other embraces a young smiling boy carrying an overflowing fruit basket. In the background is a village reduced to rubble. The imagery symbolizes France moving toward a bountiful and optimistic future, leaving the ruins of war behind them.
There is some minor wear along the top and top-right margins. Some retouching has been done along the length of the right-hand edge of the poster and along the fold lines. This poster is an elegant example of French WWI propaganda, and has retained its beauty despite being 1oo years old!
Condition C7 – Sold $700 Linen Backed
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