"Marianne", Toile de Guerre (War Toile)

Unknown Designer

1916–18 · Printed linen and cotton · Modern and Contemporary Art

This French printed toile, or textile, based on traditional French printed toiles de Jouy, was intended to boost patriotism during World War I. The motif of Marianne (the classically-dressed Athena-like figure) symbolizes reason, liberty, and the personification of the French people and is rendered in a manner both up-to-date and traditional, making it topical and movingly nostalgic.

Artist

Unknown Designer

Date

1916–18

Medium

Printed linen and cotton

Department

Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit line

Gift of Frances Morris, 1946