Aloft Gallery

The Last Man, Hans Bohrdt - Propaganda - German navy officer

In 1915 Hans Bohrdt created his most famous illustration which is called "The Last Man". The image shows a German navy officer holding up a German flag as his ship sinks because he would rather go down with the ship than surrender during the Battle for the Falkland Islands on 8th December 1914. "The Last Man" would become one of the most widely recognized propaganda images used during the First World War to inspire courage. Date: 1915

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection

Allegorical Representation of America

An allegorical representation of the products and inhabitants of America; various Native American men and women crowd by a small fortified wall by the water, carrying or moving animals, products, and wares exported from the new colonies in America. An American woman is lifted aloft on a huge shell by two men, and she is throwing jewellery and coins to people. Date: 1673

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Britannia by Felix Desruelles at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

Britannia by Felix-Alexandre Desruelles (18651943) at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France - commemorating the arrival of the British troops in 1914. This work by Desruelles did not last for long as it was destroyed by the Germans in July 1940. The statue and supporting column had a total height of 15m. At the top of the column was the figure of Britannia, a trident in her right hand and a shield in her left hand. She looked vigilantly towards the channel. Date: circa 1920s