Provide the Sinews of War, Buy Liberty Bonds
1918
Medium
Graphic Arts-Print
Classification
Graphic Arts-Print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Olin Dows
Accession Number
1983.90.148
Tags
Art Historical Context
"Provide the Sinews of, Buy Liberty Bonds," powerful 1918 lithographic print Joseph Pennell, captures the urgency of World War I through a dramatic harbor scene bustling with boats and ships. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Graphic Arts collection, this poster exemplifies Pennell's expertise in lithography—a printmaking technique that allowed for bold, high-contrast images ideal for mass reproduction and public impact. Created amid America's entry into the Great War, the work was part of the massive Liberty Bonds campaign, which raised over $17 billion to fund troops, ships, a...
About the Artist
Joseph Pennell · 1857–1926
Joseph Pennell (1857–1926) was born in Philadelphia to Quaker parents and displayed an early aptitude for drawing, finding solace in sketching amid a challenging childhood. He received initial drawing instruction from James R. Lambdin and his first etching lessons from Stephen Ferris in 1879. Pennell attended night classes at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art before studying at ...