The printed poster was the main form of advertising, mainly due to the ease of production and application in any location, allowing the message to be always present with the citizens, and appealing to them to give, produce and sacrifice themselves in favor of the war effort. Posters were also the most democratic form of advertising, reaching out equally to all types of people. These posters are an example of the fact that the war did not happen only on the fronts of battle, but that the populations of the nations involved were mobilized in an active support for the war effort by the strong images of the posters.
Produced by government ministries and agencies, independent organizations (such as the resistance) or private companies, this medium conveyed its message by combining strong emotional illustrations with easy-to-remember text messages. If in the 1st World War the posters were more artistic and darker, the propaganda of the 2nd World War II, mainly after 1943, started to resort to simple text messages with stylized images made by the advertising industry for greater effectiveness and understanding.
Like the other forms of propaganda used in this period, the posters inspired patriotism and called for a contribution to the national cause. This contribution could take various forms, such as enlistment in the armed forces, the rationing of food or other essential goods, the effort in the production of the war industry, the care with conversations in public places or the purchase of war bonds.
The exhibition “The Art of Persuasion” will be on display at the Museu do Caramulo until June 28, 2020 and has the support of the City Council of Tondela, Fidelidade, Jornal dos Classicos and Banco BPI | La Caixa Foundation.