Efforts and Ideals Lithographs

The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals limited edition lithographs

The "Great War: Britain’s Efforts and Ideals" project was conceived at 'Wellington House', the British government's secretive War Propaganda Bureau, established at the start of the First World War in 1914. This initiative aimed to bolster waning public support for the war by engaging eighteen of the country's most celebrated artists including C. R. W. Nevinson, Eric Kennington, Muirhead Bone, and Frank Brangwyn. Sixty Six lithographs were produced, each limited to 200 signed and 100 unsigned impressions.

The lithographs were divided into two thematic categories: ‘Efforts’ and ‘Ideals.’ The 'Efforts' depicted tangible contributions to the war effort, such as Kennington’s series, "Making Soldiers," which illustrated men's progression from training to the trenches. The 'Ideals' aimed to convey the moral reasons for the conflict, with works like Brangwyn's "Making Sailors" employing a range of artistic styles from Edwardian to Modern to engage and persuade a war-weary public.

First exhibited at the Fine Art Society in July 1917, these prints toured Britain and America, raising funds for the war effort. Following the war, sales diminished and many prints were donated to public museums and galleries, including the newly formed Imperial War Museum, which later took over the project's administration after the Ministry of Information (successor to Wellington House) was disbanded following the Armistice.

Stored for most of the last century as non-collection items, these lithographs have only now been made available for sale again. When it comes to non-collection item dispersal, IWM carefully considers the best methods and adheres to sector guidance. Most of the items that we disperse of are transferred to other organisations, but in some instances, we are able to offer items for sale. Every original print sold will help to fund the development of IWM’s art collection through commissions and purchases.

The 'Efforts and Ideals' lithographs are being sold alongside Abbott & Holder, London based Art Gallery, who are selling the signed impressions.