The Enemy is Syphilis

A major theme of WPA posters was public awareness-- this may be a reminder to eat fruit or unplug the iron; a reminder to keep mum; or, maybe, a warning about sexually transmitted disease. I love the contrast between the striking graphic design of these posters and the serious subject matter... perfectly WPA. 

Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Library of Congress

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Art Promoting Art

Today it’s easy to look at the posters of the past and see how fantastic they are, how special their design and amazing their creation -- but the thing about the very best posters of the past, is that their contemporaries thought so too. WPA posters were an art form and considered as such, and indeed during the period of their creation there were regular exhibitions of them. These were advertised, naturally, by other WPA posters, as were the loads of other art exhibitions funded by the program, from photography to modern art to children’s drawings. I don’t know about you, but these posters sure convince me it’s worth going. 

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Keep Mum

Of course it makes sense, and there's still rules on all this today-- but something about the wording and graphics they used to remind you not to talk about military stuff in the 1940s is just terrific, isn't it? WPA (American) and British WW2 posters.

American. Source

American. Source

American. Source

American. Source

American. Source

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British. Source

Be careful of beautiful woman, remind the British. Source

 Though the Americans were well aware of this threat too! Source

WPA posters of War

We've seen various themes of WPA posters from the 1930s, from American tourism to visiting the zoo. In the early 1940s, however, there was one major theme. With the American entry to World War Two, the WPA artists brought their style to the necessary work of warning, reminding, and encouraging. The results are both sobering and striking. 

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Visit the Zoo with the WPA

The collection of WPA posters from the 1930s and early 1940s is so very wonderful in its variety. You go from ads warning about the dangers of syphilis, to reminders to turn off the iron, to wartime reminders to watch your words, to kid's posters emphasis the importance of reading -- all done that beautiful WPA graphic design. Various posters cover wholesome activities and destinations, some general (ie, 'hiking'!) and others more specific. Today's selection comes from these, illustrating the joys of  -- the zoo!

Coming, as always, from the amazing collection of the Library of Congress. 

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More WPA posters:

Important Reminders

See America