Provide the Sinews of War, Buy Liberty Bonds

Art Historical Context

"Provide the Sinews of, Buy Liberty Bonds," powerful 1918 lithographic print Joseph Pennell, captures the urgency of World War I through a dramatic harbor scene bustling with boats and ships. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Graphic Arts collection, this poster exemplifies Pennell's expertise in lithography—a printmaking technique that allowed for bold, high-contrast images ideal for mass reproduction and public impact. Created amid America's entry into the Great War, the work was part of the massive Liberty Bonds campaign, which raised over $17 billion to fund troops, ships, and supplies—the "sinews of war." Pennell's realistic yet dynamic style, influenced by his background in architectural illustration, transforms the industrial harbor into a symbol of national strength and resolve, urging civilians to invest in victory. This piece not only highlights Pennell's role in wartime propaganda art but also reflects how graphic prints democratized patriotism, reaching everyday Americans through posters plastered across cities. A testament to art's mobilizing power, it invites us to ponder the homefront's vital contributions to history's turning points.

About the Artist

Joseph Pennell · 1857–1926

Joseph Pennell (1857–1926) was born in Philadelphia to Quaker parents and displayed an early aptitude for drawing, finding solace in sketching amid a challenging childhood. He received initial drawing instruction from James R. Lambdin and his first etching lessons from Stephen Ferris in 1879. Pennell attended night classes at the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art before studying at ...