1900-1920

Art and Photography in the early 20th century



During the earliest parts of the 20th century, 1900-1920, photography was growing ever more stronger. Artistic movements such as the Dada movement were also beginning to form. These years were also that in which Art was largely used for and against the first world war. 

Anne Brigman

"She is probably a hamadryad or classical tree nymph who is suffering bad fortunes of her host in the mountains of california. According to the old stories, hamadryads were tree spirits and they died when their trees decayed."

The Photography Book
PHAIDON
Page 69


Anne Brigman was well known for producing nude images such as this one here. She would use her friends, sisters and mother as models. One would believe that nude photography to this extent during this time would have come as quite a shock and have been disliked by many as it would have been seen as indecent. 


Although the photographer Anne Brigman and many other photographers whom produced work similar to hers were apart of an American group called "the Photo-Secession" similarities or influences can be found in art and advertisement from around the same time. 

"32.Carlo Dali 'Paris Tout Nu', France, c. 1900."
The Power of the Poster, Edited by Margret Timmers
Page 44


World War I

"Kitchener's distinctive face, military uniform and finger pointed directly at the viewer instigated upon thousands of men to make their way to recruitment offices to join and accept the King's shilling."

First World War Posters
Rosalind Ormiston
Foreword by Gary Sheffield
page 9




The poster was created by Alfred Leete and is one of the most famous posters of world war one. Even today with no war going on, you can see and feel the impact the poster has even just by looking at it in a textbook. It is very cleverly made.


Posters were possibly one of the most famous types of visual arts during these years in which the war was happening. An article calling for soldiers in the news paper, or spoken over the radio most likely won't have been as effective as what these kind of requirement posters will have. 




"Artists, designers and illustrators were commissioned by official committees to create propaganda material. The majority remain anonymous but the ranks included notable names too, such as.... and illustrator Alfred Bestall (1892-1986) - later to depict the much loved children's character Rupert Bear."

First World War Posters
Rosalind Ormiston
Foreword by Gary Sheffield
page 10

Along with eye catching colours and illustrations the text upon these artistic posters mean just as much if not more! The importance of getting a powerful message across, as you can image, would have been extremely difficult without the use of words. Following the "Your country needs you poster" similar techniques and wording were used. The concept of naming and shaming or even using posters to directly appeal to people. 

First World War Posters
Rosalind Ormiston
Foreword by Gary Sheffield, Page 21


Not only were posters aimed at men going to war, but also their wives. 
"Women of Britain say Go!" its very interesting to look at the difference in style of posters aimed at men and aimed at women. You can tell by the colours, style of text and objects painted in the posters that so much thought went into these posters as to how may they best work in attracting the target audience. A lot of the women's posters seem to remind me of almost Art Nouveao style paintings  whether that be the characters presented in the posters of the syle in which they have been painted or even just the style of the text used.