World War I poster - Quand tu parles de La Femme...
Description:
A World War I poster designed to be placed in soldiers' canteens during World War I in France. It contains two medallions which represent older and younger women. The text advises men to think of their mothers, sisters, and fiancees before saying foolish things when talking about women. Directly translated, the poster says, "When you speak about a woman, think of your mother, think of your sister, think of your fiance and you will not say silly things." The medallions are linked by a floral motif and French and American flags. The poster also contains the names of two organizations, Les Foyers du Soldat and l'Union Franco-Americaine, located in the upper left and right hand corners. Les Foyers du Soldat was a French organization that provided relief services to soldiers during the war. l'Union Franco-Americaine consisted of a formal arrangement between the French army and the YMCA. This organization also serviced soldiers.
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The YMCA maintained over 1500 canteens in France during the war where members of the military could eat, sleep, bathe and relax. The artist, Justin Marie Georges Dorival, had trained in Paris at the National School of Decorative Arts. Before the war, he garnered increasing fame as a poster artist for tourism and advertizing industries. During World War I, Dorival designed posters for the French Red Cross and the Women's Union of France. He also created war time posters for organizations in the United States, such as the YMCA. Throughout his career as a graphic artist, he would sign his work as 'Geo Dorival.'