Keep mum, she's not so dumb!
Poster
1941-1942 (made)
1941-1942 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Poster artists found various devices for depicting enemy spies. This poster makes use of the popular stereotype of the glamorous spy. It strikes a palatable, light-hearted tone while the rhyming text is catchy and colloquial. As an enemy, the spy contrasts with the prevailing images of women in wartime Britain, which tended to encourage wholesome effort and economy. Her frivolity of dress, posture and gaze all imply her moral laxity.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Keep mum, she's not so dumb! (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Colour lithograph |
| Brief description | Poster depicting a glamorous female spy, produced by the Ministry of Information, UK, ca. 1941 |
| Physical description | Glamorous woman, seated with three servicemen. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Keep mum, she's not so dumb! (printed in black) |
| Credit line | Gift of the American Friends of the V&A; Gift to the American Friends by Leslie, Judith and Gabri Schreyer and Alice Schreyer Batko |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Place depicted | |
| Summary | Poster artists found various devices for depicting enemy spies. This poster makes use of the popular stereotype of the glamorous spy. It strikes a palatable, light-hearted tone while the rhyming text is catchy and colloquial. As an enemy, the spy contrasts with the prevailing images of women in wartime Britain, which tended to encourage wholesome effort and economy. Her frivolity of dress, posture and gaze all imply her moral laxity. |
| Bibliographic reference | Images of War: British Posters 1939-45. John D. Cantwell. HMSO/ Public Record Office. 1989. |
| Other number | LS.1939 - Leslie Schreyer Loan Number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | E.997-2004 |
About this object record
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| Record created | July 5, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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