Date: 1916
Size: 34 × 50.25 inches.
Artist: Georges Goursat, 1863-1934
About the Poster: This original lithograph poster of the Banque Nationale de Crédit (BNC), created by the poster artist Georges Goursat, known as Sem, calls on people to participate in the 4th National Defence loan. French banks provided decisive support to help fund the 1914-1918 war and the reconstruction efforts. Faced with the exceptional financial needs related to the length of the conflict, the French government launched 4 major “National Defence loans” (1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918). Meanwhile the banks mobilised their networks in order to harness the savings of the French people. Issued as perpetual bonds starting in 1915, these four National Defence loans were the most famous, promoted on posters featuring powerful patriotic allegories. These posters covered the facades of bank agencies during the war. (Source: BNP Paribas - Well of History)
About the Artist: George Gourset's (or Sem's) skill as a caricaturist is outstanding. Sem attained a level of success through his imaginative portrayals of Paris at the turn of the Century. By capturing the spirit of the subject rather than exact physical traits, Sem produced images that were probably truer to life than formal portraits. (Source: Sem Goursat)
Poster is linen backed and in very good condition. Rare.
