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Belgium by George Ranstead
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Belgium by George Ranstead
Drawing on a postcard showing a small child looking cold and frightened, meant to represent Belgium which had fallen to German forces in the first few weeks of the First World War. Brave Little Belgium was a frequent symbol used to rally support for Britains involvement in the conflict. George Ranstead was an amateur artist of the Great War who served in the Army Pay Corps. Ranstead was one of many soldiers of WWI who took up drawing as a hobby. His subjects range from wartime humour to pictures of pretty girls and are clearly influenced by images in the illustrated magazines of the period. This particular image is reminiscent of the work of Poulbot, the famous French illustrator of children.
circa 1916
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Media ID 7186169
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10527705
Belgian Conflict Defeated Frightened Pathetic Poor Post Card Rags Ranstead Ww 1
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This poignant postcard image, titled 'Belgium - A Poor Little Country,' is a poignant representation of the plight of Belgium during the early days of the First World War. The small, frightened child in tattered clothes huddled against the cold, symbolizes the brave but defeated nation that had fallen to German forces in the first few weeks of the conflict. The image was drawn by George Ranstead, an amateur artist and soldier serving in the Army Pay Corps. Ranstead was one of many soldiers who took up drawing as a hobby during the war, and his work reflects the influence of popular illustrated magazines of the period. Ranstead's drawing is reminiscent of the work of the famous French illustrator, Poulbot, who was known for his depictions of children. The image was likely created around 1916, as the war dragged on and the need for moral support to sustain the British war effort grew. The phrase 'Brave Little Belgium' was a frequent symbol used to rally support for Britain's involvement in the conflict, and this image is a poignant reminder of the human cost of war. The child's pathetic appearance, with his rags and fearful expression, underscores the devastating impact of the conflict on innocent civilians. This postcard serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made during the First World War and the importance of peace and compassion in the face of adversity.
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