1942 American Artist Magazine: A Review of the National War Poster Competition

 

Matlack Price, American Artist's Art-in-War Editor, reviews the National War Poster Competition that, in 1942, was showing at the Museum of Modern Art in New York from November 25, 1942  to January 3, 1943. This December 1942 American Artist Magazine highlights the contest, presenting Jaro Fabry's ("It Won No Prize") entry on its cover. I can't decide if the editors are reprimanding the contest judges or just wanted a Fabry cover -- since Jaro Fabry was a well-known illustrator, and, as Price writes, most of the poster entries were from unknown artists.

"The contest should prove that the visual message is still the most potent medium for reaching the public. It should demonstrate that the overwhelming art resources can be applied usefully to winning the war."

Price delves into the categories and process of the contest. Sadly, since color printing was expensive, the posters are reproduced in black and white. I added a couple in color below. But regardless, some good images and some (sadly) pertinent issues are visualized. 

Here's the article from the December 1942 American Artist Magazine, which I bought last month at the Arundel, Maine flea market. It's still very nicely preserved. 

Here are a few of the entries, in color, pulled from the web:

More at the MOMA site. Here's a photo from the 1942 exhibition.