Portfolio Task One (Image Analysis)

Critical Studies Image Analysis

The two images we have been given to compare and contrast through visual analysis are ‘The Uncle Sam Range’ (1876) by Schumacher & Ettlinger, New York and the wartime poster by Savile Lumley (1915). 

The first image by Schumacher & Ettlinger an advertisement for a range cooker. This advertisement with the tag line ‘feeding the world’ showing an Americanised attitude to the state of their country in 1876, one hundred years after the declaration of independence, and the state of the rest of the world at this time. The image presents Uncle Sam, the personified character of America, feeding the world. In the images this is actually the globe with a stereotypical black mans face covering the African continent, this firstly lowers the tone of the piece to a modern audience, but this would have been holey acceptable in 1876 when racism was still an acceptable way of life. Furthering the theme of racism through this image the menu with many different countries cuisines such as the Irish with seven different varieties of potatoes including raw, for a taste of Chinese birds nest, and it continues on a similar vane. The entire advertisement pays homage to the American nation and the American dream full to the brim with red, white and blue, from the carpets to Uncle Sam’s ‘pant’. The image referencing everything ‘good’ about America and the three major areas, prosperity, independence and freedom. In short this images is more American than Cowboys killing Indians, and anyone else who doesn’t share their political opinions.

The second image a picture by ‘Savile Lumley’ with the text ‘Daddy, what did YOU do in the Great War’ a piece of British propaganda published at the beginning of the First World War to encourage upper and middle class me to fight, as conscription was not yet in place. The message of the piece for the upper or middle class man to be a proud man who can tell stories of how they fought of king and country and Great Britain. If you join up with your pals you will not be like the man in the picture, who has been questioned by his child with an above average use of punctuation and emphasis, who has nothing to say because he is a failure and a coward to his children and his beloved England.  The image on the hole is an intense guilt trip for all conscientious objectors. The image is laced with symbols for Britain such as the reds rose of England, the royal emblem, and the little boy playing with his toy soldiers, who happen to be Royal guards.

The two images where created at quite different times and are delivering very different messages; but are strung together with this underlying patriotism and loyalty for the country, Britain and America. The two images share this patriotic message though different means on through blatant racism and bigotry, and the other guilt and the feeling of failure to further generations.