Halt the Hun! Buy U.S. Government Bonds Third Liberty Loan 1918

Curator: This piece, "Halt the Hun! Buy U.S. Government Bonds Third Liberty Loan," by Henry Patrick Raleigh, was created in 1918. It’s a lithograph poster now held in the collection of The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: My first reaction is unease. The dramatic tension practically vibrates off the paper. The sketch-like style gives it a raw, immediate feel, like a snapshot of some horrific, unfolding event. Curator: Indeed. Raleigh captures a potent, if somewhat propagandistic, narrative here. Notice the central figure, presumably an American soldier, intervening in what we can assume is an act of violence perpetuated by the German soldier, the "Hun" against the woman. The fire evokes devastation. Editor: And it’s all in the symbols, isn’t it? The German soldier, identifiable by his spiked helmet, represents barbarity. The woman becomes the embodiment of innocence and victimhood, a classic visual trope during wartime to galvanize support. Curator: Absolutely. Consider how the artist uses light and shadow. The heroic figure of the American soldier is highlighted, suggesting moral righteousness. Meanwhile, the German is cast in shadow, further associating him with evil and immoral behavior. It’s quite calculated. This would resonate profoundly within the historical context of the First World War, a period marked by intense nationalism. Editor: The very directness is striking, too. There's no room for ambiguity in this plea. The bold text hammers home the message: This is about financing the war effort. It links patriotism directly to purchasing power, a powerful emotional appeal. It really makes you think about the way such stark imagery could influence public opinion. Curator: It is a somewhat disturbing glimpse into the ways that fear, prejudice, and simplified cultural narratives were mobilized in the name of national interests. Yet it served an important social function at the time to raise much-needed war funds, as war loans have often proved controversial but necessary during times of conflict. Editor: Examining "Halt the Hun!" prompts us to look critically at the power of visual language in shaping national identity and justifying political actions. The work shows the human impact during war periods, but can also be looked upon in a cynical light when it comes to using fear and strong emotion. Curator: Exactly, the symbols employed have reverberated across history, so unpacking this piece offers valuable insight into both then and now.