Fête de la victoire 14 Juillet 1919 1919

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This stirring 1919 original poster by the famed French caricaturist Sem (Georges Goursat) captures the spirit of national unity and jubilation in post-war France. Created to commem orate the Victory Parade on Bastille Day, July 14, 1919, the image immortalizes one of the most emotional moments in French history—the triumphant return of French soldiers through Paris’ Arc de Triomphe after World War I. The scene explodes with life and symbolism. Beneath the arch, a massive formation of "poilus" (French infantrymen) march forward, flags waving and rifles slung, their determined expressions turned toward the future. Above them, Sem conjures a ghostly, allegorical procession of earlier generations of warriors—ancient and Napoleonic—joining in celebration, their forms blending into a soaring swirl that mirrors the frieze of “La Marseillaise” carved into the Arc. Sem, renowned for his wit and elegance, sets aside satire in favor of reverence. His technique here—part illustration, part exaltation—strikes a patriotic tone without bombast, instead blending classical grandeur with a light, fluid line. The crowd and clouds move with equal energy, and history itself seems to sweep the soldiers forward. Commissioned for the "Fête de la Victoire", this lithograph became one of the most iconic visual mementos of France’s postwar healing, honoring both the living and the dead. It reflects a nation pausing not only to celebrate the end of a brutal war, but also to recognize its cost and enduring legacy. A timeless image of national pride, sacrifice, and renewal, this poster remains a treasured artifact of France’s collective memory of World War I. War 14-18 - France - Economy Banque Nationale de Crédit Printed by Devambez in Paris Good condition, slight creases, small tears Show more