WWI posters on display at GAC

By Nell Musolf, Special to The Free Press

ST PETER — Think of the word “poster” and generally an image of a new movie, sports figure or celebrity comes to mind.

Posters urge people to drink milk, get fit, or see an upcoming blockbuster. But such 21st century images have absolutely nothing to do with the exhibit on display at the Hillstrom Museum of Art on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus, called “Come On!: American Posters from World War I.”

“We’re so used to any number of media now,” Director Don Myers said. “That wasn’t the case when these posters were made.”

The 40-plus World War I vintage posters at the Hillstrom were discovered in the archives at Gustavus Adolphus College.

“We can only assume that these posters were displayed on the campus during World War I,” Myers says, “and that someone decided to save them.”

A few of the posters show some of the ravages of time, but on the whole they are in exceptionally good condition with their colors still vibrant and their messages clear.

Before America became involved in World War I, posters were used by the government to combat a strong anti-war sentiment in the country.

The poster, with its short messages and compelling, colorful graphics, was the ideal tool to use.

Another way the government utilized posters during the World War I era was to encourage people to purchase war bonds. The money raised from the bonds was used to support troops, purchase military supplies, and offer humanitarian aid throughout the world.

At first, the posters focused on the more practical aspects of warfare, as well as the daily necessities needed by troops. As time passed, the posters became more personal and began appealing to the emotions of Americans.

One angle the artists used was to create a sensation of fear in the posters they made. By creating a fear that the safety of home and family was threatened, as well as the fear of becoming social outcasts if one did not support the war effort, the posters forcefully brought the point home that an invasion of America by Germany was a possibility.

Posters with names such as “Beat Back the Hun” showed bloody boots, suffering children and women in dangerous, threatening situations. Myers notes that the blunt approach the posters took might seem a bit shocking to people today.

“Can you imagine walking down the street now and seeing a green-eyed Hun staring back at you from a poster hanging on the side of a wall?”

Other less disturbing images can be seen as well. Working men, women and children were portrayed as playing vital roles in the war effort. Posters instructed people to eat less and be thankful for what they had.

In their colorful, unique way, the posters reminded people what America stood for and how important it was to maintain the American way of life. Above everything else, the posters aimed to promote a deep, heart-felt patriotism.

The “Come On!” exhibit was conceived by Laura Behling, an associate professor of English at Gustavus, who collects posters from the World War I era. She was assisted by third-year student Chelsea Kramer.

Behling and Kramer spent the summer researching the historical background of the posters. The posters, Behling believes, ask people to consider the relationship between art and politics and to remember the expenses of battle, both in money and life.

“These posters may seem like a quaint remainder of a different time, but they can offer us perspective,” Behling says.