Essay Example on Artists in War: Pictorial Records, Patriotism & Unity

Introduction

Artists made significant contributions during the war, just like other known participants such as nurses, military personnel, and war industry workers (Stout 126). Notably, painters, graphic designers, and photographers among helped in creating the much-needed pictorial records that assisted in promoting conservation, boosting soldiers' morale, and, most importantly, encouraging national unity. American artists helped in promoting the American culture that significantly strengthened patriotism during the times of war (Bassnett, Andrea and Thy 119). Undoubtedly, war often brings devastation to the people, and artistry played an important role in reinforcing cultural identity, which enhanced their resolve to protect the interest of their country. While utilizing visual arts, war artists demonstrated the horrors of contemporary warfare. The artists used different ideologies and artistic styles to respond to the effects of war. Understandably, many artists recognized the reality of war, and they focused on using artists to condemn and regret the potential causes of war and the need for their mitigation (Stout 129). Undoubtedly, creating different images by the artists helped in reminding their people why they were on the battlefield, hence encouraging them to protect their culture.

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It is worth noting that war artists used their artistic skills to bring unity among the people during the war by reminding them of the value of what they are most likely to lose. Moreover, war artists used their beautiful paintings to promote their countries' culture, and visually highlighting reasons why they should protect it (Bassnett et al. 121). Equally important, different artists organized exhibitions that they used to showcase their inspiring artistry to the soldiers during the war. Additionally, war-themed arts helped both citizens and soldiers to take a united front in protecting their country. Notably, artists forged a close working relationship with the government during the war, where they supported them in recreating posters. Many countries often seek to protect their values, which are more likely to be destroyed during the war. In light of this, therefore, artists leveraged their artistry to produce paintings that reinforced their bonds to enable them to emerge stronger after the war. For instance, Ben Shahn, in his work, This Is Nazi Brutality, helped in informing the viewers through booklets and posters the atrocities committed by Nazis in Lidice, Czechoslovakia (Stout 132).

Figure 1. The Parents (1921-22), Kathe Kollwitz. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Furthermore, artists explored the power of literature to illustrate the difficulties encountered by the soldiers, and the need to offer them emotional support by citizens. The artwork produced by the artists created a sense of patriotism that significantly enhanced soldiers' effort to defend their country with all their energy (Stout 133). More importantly, some artists visited different war fields to assist them in incorporating the realities of combat in their artwork. These artists used different artistic styles to provide a visual account of war activities such as war heroes and victims. Also, the artists used paintings and drawings to capture war refugees, prisoners of war, and civilians. More critically, the artworks helped in addressing emotional difficulties that had the potential to tear their countries' culture and values (Bassnett et al. 120). Moreover, the works of war artists helped in highlighting the historical significance of their culture, and most importantly, the need to ensure that war leaves them more united than before (Stout 135). Soldiers often play a central role during the times of war, and their effort can be supported by providing them with soothing effect through different artworks.

Figure 2. Returning to the Trenches (1916), C.R.W Nevison.

Understandably, a country's history and culture are often shared by all citizens, and war artists utilized visual artistry to celebrate them, hence reenergizing soldiers on the battlefield. Also, some artists used universal themes to highlight war devastation and inherent injustices that have adversely affected the people. Moreover, some renowned artists such as Edward Hopper and Jacob Lawrence created chilling scenes through paintings, which helped in demonstrating the negative effects of war (Stout 131). Some artists focused on the past and future of war to illuminate the ancient cultural foundation and highlight potential devastation that can result when a country gets involved in the war (Bassnett et al. 122). Further, artists helped in cementing different themes of war and reinventing them in the literature to demonstrate war atrocities, and the need to embrace other conflict-resolution mechanisms that will promote everlasting peace. Better still, literary analysis of different war artwork helped in reinforcing cultural history, that encouraged national identity and bonding during the war (Stout 137). Also, artists provided a deeper understanding of war, and they enhanced their response to war to ensure that national unity is not compromised.

Figure 3. Wheels in Vault (1918), John Singer Sargent.

In conclusion, artists have made a significant foothold in redefining war by developing different artworks that demonstrate the impact of war. Further, war artists have emphasized on the use of visual artistry to give a pictorial account of war atrocities and encourage efforts to embrace peace across the world. It should be understood that war often pose a great danger to the unity of humanity, and artists have used different artistic styles to demonstrate the significance of cultural history, and the need to protect it. Undoubtedly, artists recognized the fact that war burdens cannot be left to the soldiers alone, and they have infused their artistic devices to help soldiers by giving much-needed morale to continue protecting their country's cultural history. Visual arts have contributed significantly to enhancing bonding among the people, especially when their artworks touch on the country's culture. It is worth noting that visual art has greatly transformed people's perceptions about war, and different devastation that has been depicted trough paintings and drawings has encouraged people across the world to explore peaceful conflict-resolution mechanisms.

Works Cited

Bassnett, Sarah, Andrea Noble, and Thy Phu. "Cold War visual alliances." (2015): 119-122. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1472586X.2015.1024976

Stout, Janis P. Coming Out of War: Poetry, Grieving, and the Culture of the World Wars. University of Alabama Press, 2016, pp. 126-137. https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=en&lr=&id=1FjnDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq