French Soldier’s Grave. Saturday Evening Post Cover, June 1, 1918 1918

J.C. Leyendecker’s 1918 painting "French Soldier's Grave" was commissioned for the cover of the June 1, 1918 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. The artwork depicts a young American soldier kneeling by a grave marked by a French flag and a bouquet of flowers. The soldier’s posture and the poignant subject matter reflect the somber tone of the First World War, a theme Leyendecker explored frequently during his career as an illustrator. Leyendecker was a well-known American artist who is best known for his illustrations for advertisements and magazines. This painting is a fine example of his talent and the importance of his work in depicting the struggles of the American soldier during the First World War.