Alsace-Lorraine
Dominique Charles Fouqueray
Souscrivez! Banque d'Alsace et de Lorraine
[Subscribe! Bank of Alsace and Lorraine]
PST 10725
Auguste Leroux
Comptoir National d'Escompte de Paris
[National Discount Bank of Paris]
1918, PST 0220
After the annexation of France's Alsace-Lorraine region to Prussia in 1871, the allegorical representations of Alsace and Lorraine captured the spirit of French patriotism. From this time on, popular imagery depicted Alsace and Lorraine as two young women in regional costumes, faithfully awaiting the return of the ‘motherland’. This further acted as a reinforcement of cultural stereotypes that saw France as feminine, in opposition to the more masculine presence of Germany. The imagery of the sisters shedding tears of sorrow or defiantly resisting the Germans, even when placed at their mercy, proved visually enduring throughout WWI.
Fouqueray's poster presents a full-length depiction of Marianne standing with her arms held protectively around the shoulders of two young women dressed in the traditional costumes of Alsace and Lorraine. A visual metaphor of the French desire to once more embrace its lost regions.
Leroux's poster presents two similar women, again in the traditional dress of Alsace and Lorraine, waving encouragement at those who go to fight on their behalf. It acts as a reminder to those marching into battle, that not only do they fight to resolve current hostilities, but also the longer term suffering of the nation.
