The Art of War: WWI Posters from the Oscar Jacobson Collection exhibit opens, Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center will open its newest pictorial exhibit, The Art of War: WWI Posters from the Oscar Jacobson Collection, on Monday, April 3, 2017, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. The exhibit will be on display in the Chesapeake Events Center, which also is utilized for meetings and events. Visitors should call in advance to make sure the exhibit is open to the public.

On display will be 22 posters from the Oscar Jacobson WWI Poster Collection. Jacobson was the first director of the School of Art at the University of Oklahoma and the first director of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. The poster was an integral tool for broad dissemination of information during World War I. Countries on both sides of the conflict distributed posters widely to garner support, urge action and boost morale. During World War I, the impact of the poster as a means of communication was greater than at any other time during history. As a valuable historical research resource, the posters provide multiple points of view for understanding this global conflict. As artistic works, the posters range in style from graphically vibrant works by well-known designers to anonymous broadsides. The posters express various themes such as food issues (shortages and rationing), enlistment and recruitment (“Uncle Sam Wants You”) and finance (war bonds).

Prints of the various posters will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. The Oklahoma History Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.