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The Triumph of Democracy

Print
1917 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Great War: Britain’s Efforts and Ideals was an ambitious project of artistic propaganda comprising sixty-six prints distributed by the British government in 1917. The aim was to stimulate public morale and support for the war effort.
Eighteen artists were commissioned, including Frank Brangwyn, Augustus John, Eric Kennington (an official war artist in both World Wars and sculptor of many war memorials), and C.R.W Nevinson. They were each assigned their subjects and had to work under strict censorship regulations.
Separated into two sets of portfolios titled ‘Ideals’ (12 prints) and ‘Efforts’ (54 prints) the former reinforced lofty goals such as The Triumph of Democracy, The Restoration of Serbia, and The Reconstruction of Belgium, while the latter illustrated key activities of the war effort such as munitions factories, women workers, training young soldiers, and agriculture in wartime.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Triumph of Democracy (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph
Brief description
Lithograph by William Rothenstein entitled 'The Triumph of Democracy'. Great Britain, ca. 1917.
Physical description
Lithograph on paper
Credit line
Given by the Ministry of Information
Subject depicted
Summary
The Great War: Britain’s Efforts and Ideals was an ambitious project of artistic propaganda comprising sixty-six prints distributed by the British government in 1917. The aim was to stimulate public morale and support for the war effort.
Eighteen artists were commissioned, including Frank Brangwyn, Augustus John, Eric Kennington (an official war artist in both World Wars and sculptor of many war memorials), and C.R.W Nevinson. They were each assigned their subjects and had to work under strict censorship regulations.
Separated into two sets of portfolios titled ‘Ideals’ (12 prints) and ‘Efforts’ (54 prints) the former reinforced lofty goals such as The Triumph of Democracy, The Restoration of Serbia, and The Reconstruction of Belgium, while the latter illustrated key activities of the war effort such as munitions factories, women workers, training young soldiers, and agriculture in wartime.
Collection
Accession number
E.735-1918

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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