On Ne Passe Pas!, 1914-1918 (They Shall Not Pass! 1914-1918), Maurice Neumont

Exhibition Label: “Machine in a Void: World War I & the Graphic Arts,” Mar-2010, Steve Goddard Posters played an indispensable role in World War I for every combatant nation. Recruiting, fundraising, medical efforts, and security were all vitally affected by mass communication efforts. In France, professional artists were employed directly or through established lithographic studios and printing houses such as Maurice Neumont Studios and Devambez Printers, which carried out a huge number of poster commissions during the War. Maurice Neumont was a lithographer and painter, but he is best remembered today as a member of the Patriotic School, a group of artists whose propaganda posters helped mobilize the French in the War. His most popular poster was this monumental image of a ragged poilu, or infantryman, defending his ground. Below the image is a text that reads: “Twice I have stood fast and conquered on the Marne, my brother civilian. A deceptive ‘peace offensive’ will attack you in your turn; like me, you must stand firm and conquer. Be strong and shrewd. Beware of Boche hypocrisy.” Boche was a derogatory term for Germans used by the French during World War I.