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Accession Number ARTV00036
Collection type Art
Measurement Overall: 101 x 66.5 cm
Object type Poster
Physical description chromolithograph on paper
Maker Lindsay, Norman
Government of Australia
W E Smith Ltd
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made 1918
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

An Australian First World War recruitment poster, depicting two Australian soldiers, hard pressed by a larger German force, one on the ground appealing for help. Norman Lindsay (1879-1970) was a painter, draughtsman, illustrator, cartoonist, printmaker, writer and sculptor. He joined the Sydney 'Bulletin' magazine as a staff artist, 1901-09, 1910-23 and 1932-58. During the First World War he produced jingoistic cartoons and pro-conscription posters.

Recruitment posters were in abundant supply in Australia throughout the First World War. Australia relied solely on voluntary recruits to serve in the AIF. Compulsory military service, or conscription, for eligible men was in force in Australia from 1911, however, these forces were for home defence and could not be used to serve in a war overseas. Following the initial rush of men to recruit in 1914, enrolments dropped, leaving federal and state governments to devise sophisticated campaigns to boost numbers.