The Freedom of the Seas: P.14925-R(1)

Current Location: In storage

Titles

The Freedom of the Seas
The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals

Maker(s)

Printmaker: Brangwyn, Frank
Publisher: Ministry of Information
Draughtsman: Brangwyn, Frank (After)

Entities

Portfolio

Description

A group of fishermen in a small boat at sea recoil from a large octopus which they have caught in their net. The motif of the octopus (which appeared on propaganda maps of the nineteenth century) represents the inhuman spread of evil, its tentacles grasping for land and power.

Notes

History note: From the printed Annual Report, 1919: 'A collection of sixty-six large lithographic prints by Muirhead Bone, Eric Kennington, George Clausen, R.A., Frank Brangwyn, A.R.A., C.R.W. Nevinson, William Rothenstein, Charles Pears, Claude Shepperson, A.S. Hartrick, and other artists, illustrating The Great War: Britain's Efforts and Ideals, have been received from the Ministry of Information, under whose auspices these splendid lithographs were made.'

Legal notes

Given by the Ministry of Information, 1919

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1919) by Ministry of Information

Dating

20th Century
Production date: AD 1917

Note

Printed in three colours: black, green, orange. Blindstamp of Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (George V) as used by HM Government at lower left corner.