The artwork titled “Back the Attack with War Bonds,” created by Charles Alston in 1943, falls under the Social Realism art movement and belongs to the genre of posters. The artwork was designed as a wartime propaganda piece to encourage citizens to purchase war bonds in support of the war effort.
In the artwork, three large arrows labeled “First War Loan Drive,” “Second War Loan Drive,” and “Third War Loan Drive” streak diagonally across the image from top left to bottom right, symbolizing successive war fundraising campaigns. Two figures, likely representing allies or soldiers, stand prominently in the center, wrapped in an embrace signifying unity and support. They stand atop a rocky outcrop, gazing towards the arrows with hopeful expressions, illustrating trust and belief in the success of the war bond efforts. In the background, a third figure treads water, hands raised, possibly symbolizing those in need of rescue or additional support. The phrase “Back the Attack with Bonds!!” at the bottom reinforces the message of the artwork, urging the public to contribute financially to the war effort. The use of dynamic lines and bold text emphasizes the urgency and importance of the campaign. The signature of Charles Alston appears in the bottom left corner, adding authenticity and historical context to the piece.
