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YEAR 12 // TERTIARY
ENGLISH – IMAGES OF WAR // CREATIVE RESPONSE
PROPAGANDA POSTER RATIONALE
PROPAGANDA POSTER RATIONALE // RATIONALE
Propaganda has been used by humanity for centuries as a method of public communication. It is
used to persuade a large audience to conform to a specific idea or support a belief through the
use of dramatic medium. History has shown propaganda has played a large role in primarily
political and religious affairs, though it has mostly been familiarized by popular culture as being
connected to war (particularly the Second World War (3)). Governments across the globe utilized
propaganda posters as a way to communicate a message, recruit soldiers or inspire patriotism in
the civilian population. There were two distinct genres of propaganda posters. One genre was
focused on recruiting and morale of the general public while the other genre horrified and
exaggerated the war to ignite fear and scare other civilians into doing their part (3). Both genres of
posters incorporated artistic skill and creative advertising to convey the message in an
emotionally powerful manner.
Though the more recognised propaganda was the sensationally overdramatized posters that
portrayed the enemy and the war in a horrifying and confronting way. These posters inspired a
powerful emotional response in the viewers by playing on their imaginations, which made the
posters very persuasive. Due to the artistic nature of this poster genre, I thought it would be an
interesting experiment to create my own interpretation in an art style similar to that of pop art (1).
This art style coupled with the American flair for boisterous patriotism and drama combined
would create a visually and emotionally engaging propaganda poster. I believed it would be
suitable to combine these components together to make a propaganda poster from the American
standpoint that captured the ferocity of the Nazi threat by using pop art techniques and style.
American civilians during wartime often felt safe due to the distance of the Atlantic Ocean
between them and Europe (2). I thought these ideas of comfort and protected liberty were an
interesting idea to play on. These ideas would become my symbols and metaphors in the art of
the poster as well as being key words in the slogan. The posters intent would be to provoke fear
and shatter the idea of safety and inspire the public to take action, an effect that my chosen
genre of propaganda posters was renowned for.
The artistic composition of symbolism within my propaganda poster had to be carefully planned
for the desired psychological impact on the viewer to be achieved. When people of western
culture looking at an artwork always scan visually from left side, top, right side and to bottom
accordingly. This makes the placement of components important as it tells the viewer that
American Liberty (represented by The Statue of Liberty) is under attack, which is then reinforced
with the slogan. I also used the thirds rule that is essentially the division of a canvas into a 3x3
grid with a total of nine squares. These intersection points define where the crucial elements of
the artwork go. In my poster the lowest part of the American skyline is on the lowest third of the
picture horizontal axis while the right side of the Statue of Liberty lines up with the left vertical
axis, which subliminally frames the Nazi tyrant, whilst the water line of the Atlantic Ocean is in
the middle of the artwork. I did this specifically so that the Nazi would fit on the page and also to
make his Luger pistol line up horizontally with the Statue of Liberty’s head. The flaming ruins of
Europe beneath the German suggest that the Germans are untouchable and that they will bring
the devastation to America. This provokes a sense of dread and fear to the viewer also because
the Nazi is slightly higher on the page then Liberty.
The language used in the slogan was strategically worded to tie in directly with the imagery of
the poster and reinforce the ideas and symbolism that the poster exhibits. The slogan “Defend
our Liberty from the Nazi. The Atlantic cannot hold the Germans from Reaching America. You
must!” gives the viewer a concreted understanding of what the components of the poster mean
and how they relate to the posters message. The slogan uses imperative language and the term
“You must!” to personalize the situation and immerse the viewer in the scenario, pushing the
idea that it’s up to them as the viewer to stand up and defend their nation before the Germans
strike.
The colors of the poster have been strategically selected to add to the mood of the artwork. Red
and black especially are subconscious danger colours that trigger a response of fear. The
background and European horizon line is shrouded in red. The background fades from black to
red covering the Statue of Liberty and New York City in darkness. Even the blue Atlantic Ocean
(blue is typically a calming colour of comfort) is a dark blue, which challenges the American idea
of the Atlantic being a safeguard. Though the yellow torch and book that The Statue of Liberty
holds represents power and gives just enough optimism to the picture.
By merging all of my artistic knowledge into my creative response, I believe I have created an
artwork that properly showcases the power and significance that propaganda posters once had
(by that I mean they are an outdated form of media). Through the combination of the symbolism
with in the poster and the techniques of pop art, I have created an artwork that truly depicts the
sinister mood of wartime in an artistic style that highlights the emotional and influential impacts
that propaganda posters had on the public opinion.
BIBLIOGRAPHY // RESOURCES
1) Pop Art, 2012, Arty Factory, http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/pop_art.htm
2) World War 2: BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC, The History Channel, http://www.history.co.uk/explore-history/ww2/battle-of-theatlantic.html
3) World War Two Posters, Signal Alpha, http://www.signalalpha.com/Propaganda_Posters.html
IMAGES USED DURING PRODUCTION OF POSTER.
Rupercht Kroenen (Hellboy).
http://www.flickriver.com/photos/dedguy/tags/kroenen/
The Statue of Liberty behind view.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/14149205
Note: I did not need to research any specific sources to collect my factual information relating to the composition and techniques of
art and specifically pop art because I have learnt from college. I would refer to specific classes with in my bibliography but I do not
consider them to be a referable resource as I believe many teachers would not deem them legitimate sources of reference.