Poster Analysis

Critical Studies Image Analysis Exercise

During the American Independence and the Great War, various propaganda posters were proposed across the countries to allow the people have an ideological view of their nation. Although they may have conflicted with the reality of the time they were living in, it still gave people hope and aspirations.

From looking at The Uncle Sam Range (1876) Advertising Image by Schumacher & Ettlinger, I can see clear, strong, patriotism at first glance. The main influence throughout the image is the bold use of red, white and blue, symbolising the American flag and the people of the nation. This differs completely from the poster used during the Great War by Savile Lumley (1915). The artist has incorporated Royalty subtly by taking the English red rose and the Fluer de lis and placing them on the main features of the poster. Yet there is no strong sign of patriotic colours and symbols, this poster still bares all of the aspects propaganda.

The style of illustration is completely different between the two posters. The Uncle Sam image uses typography as an important part to distinguish Americana culture. The typeface used is typical of that time, which helps people relate and notice the poster. There is a strong sense of dominance as you look more closely into the image, the globe represents other continents of the world and has a list to insult other nations and create superiority from the United States. The British poster has a more formal, photographic approach taken. The natural, dull colours that were widely seen across the early 20th century Britain help the image stay focused to the point. The typography at the bottom is in a serif style with the key word ‘YOU‘underlined

There is a great sense of advertising and promoting a commodity to the American people in there poster. The Uncle Sam range was a cooking range developed as the main appliance to an everyday American household. This is then the main target to citizens of the state as a focal selling point. If the poster worked effectively, the range would sell. Unlike the British poster, there is no clear sense of advertising at all. The young girl is looking up to her father and asking him a question. The fathers face has a very sharp, deeply expressional features that could relate to a number of things, he could be telling the next generation what he did in the war or on the other hand be incredibly nervous about denying the war altogether.

Overall both of the images are promoting a selling point in some way to the people of their countries. There main focus is patriotism and ideology, showing them what their futures could be like if they subscribe to the advertising. They are both direct and informative giving the necessary information to draw in peoples attention. The Uncle Sam image shows a different attitude to the rest of the world. There is a strong sense of power, male domination and almost hatred to other countries. This shows the ignorance of America at that time. British propaganda during the early 20th was mainly aimed at recruiting men to the armed forces. It creates a sense of national duty, pride and accomplishment, which was an ideal thought for many young men during this period. Promising are being made by the government, but it is another question whether they will keep to them.