Untitled (store front, Brentano’s, recruitment posters, Words That Won the War book display) c. 1940

Curator: This photograph, by Harris & Ewing, captures a Brentano's storefront, filled with books and wartime recruitment posters. The scale feels intimate, almost like a stage set. Editor: It's interesting how this image blends commerce and wartime messaging. The recruitment posters, juxtaposed with the books, really highlight the pervasiveness of propaganda during that era. Were such pairings common? Curator: Absolutely. The arrangement speaks volumes about the socio-political climate. Words became weapons, with books and posters playing crucial roles in shaping public opinion and galvanizing support for the war effort. Editor: I see the layers of meaning in how the photograph reflects society's complex relationship with war and nationalism, highlighting the performative nature of patriotism and the construction of national identity through propaganda. Curator: Precisely. Seeing this photograph through a contemporary lens invites reflection on how power structures continue to utilize language and media to shape collective narratives. Editor: It’s a stark reminder of the power of visual culture and its ability to mobilize populations.