Accession Number
1954/2.35.89

Title
Workers, Lend Your Strength to the Red Triangle - Help the "Y" Hlpe the Fighters Fight - United War Work Campaign - November 11 to 18

Artist(s)
Arthur Spear

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1918

Medium & Support
color lithograph on paper

Dimensions
36 1/16 x 24 1/16 in. (91.5 x 61 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Maurice F. Lyons

Label copy
This product of Gil Spear, an American painter who had studied in Paris under Laurens, utilizes the symbol of the Young Man's Christian Association, that is, the inverted red triangle. Chosen to represent the war work of the Y.M.C.A., it symbolized the threefold needs of man which the association aimed at fulfilling; the needs of the body, the mind, and the spirit. The color red speaks for sacrifice and the fact that the triangle is inverted is indicative of its spiritual appeal. It would appear to have been an emblem familiar to soldiers gifting throughout Europe and Africa leading them to Y.M.C.A. recreation huts funded by appeals such as this one.
Depicted are three male figures--the Y.M.C.A. worker, the laborer at home, and the fighter at the front. This three fold vision of man exemplifies the virility and community effort which was being encouraged at the time. One of the major problems facing American propaganda efforts was that of conveying a sense of involvement to the blue collar workers. The positive image of the laborer in Spear's poster would certainly stimulate a sense of pride in their non-combatant, but essential role.

Primary Object Classification
Print

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
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Keywords
Text-based Art
World War I
arms
hats
males
modern and contemporary art
posters
soldier
standing
wars