1941 Keep 'Em Rolling! by Leo Lionni Tanks Modernist Photomontage WWII

Date: 1941
Artist: Lionni, Leo
Size (in): 40.25” x 29.75”
Size (cm): 102 x 75.5
Condition: A-/B+
Linen backed: Yes

This brilliant poster, recognized as a masterpiece of the Modernist form, was created by the artist Leo Lionni just as the United States was entering WWII. This poster is one in a set of four created by Lionni that all utilize a photomontage design of war materiel superimposed over an American flag pattern with the canton area of the flag where the stars are normally found replaced with the image of a welder.  The bold rallying cry KEEP EM ROLLING! Is printed across the bottom of the poster.  

This poster features photomontage images of tanks while the other three in the set featured boats, artillery and fighter aircraft. Lionni was born in Holland, grew up in Italy and emigrated to the United States in 1939 where he was hired by the N.W. Ayer advertising agency. After the war Lionni became the art director at Fortune magazine where he created many striking and memorable Modernist style advertisements for major clients such as the Ford Motor Company and the Italian typewriter company Olivetti.

This vintage original poster has been professionally linen backed with expert repair to a couple short tears without paper loss on the left edge and a staple hole on each corner. A small area light trace of staining in the white border along the upper right edge was mitigated during the linen backing process and still shows slightly.  The poster displays beautifully and overall condition is very good. Contact us for more information as needed.