Over the Top for You

The texts on the bottom of the poster indicates its purpose: to advertise the Third Liberty Loan Act. Sponsored by U.S. Department of the Treasury, many promotional posters of the Liberty Bond Acts used imagery of soldiers\u27 bravery to inspire patriotism among citizens at home, including this poster. In the background, the environment echoes the darkness before sunrise, suggesting the faith in the eventual victory of the Allies. In contrast, strong light shines on the charging soldier to set a sense of nobility in his action. The soldier charges with a bright U.S. national flag tightly held in one hand and let it wave freely over his head, indicating that a glorious sacrifice for his nation is in the calling. The soldier\u27s mouth is wide open, and his facial muscles in great tension, as if he is loudly screaming as he charges. This expression suggests a strong resolve. His position is leaning forward, resonating the title Over The Top For You, which refers to the trench confrontations in World War I. Going over the trenches exposes soldiers to their enemies. The artist, Sidney H. Riesenberg, uses Over The Top For You to convey a message that U.S. soldiers would take risks such as this to repay countrymen\u27s support, and bring victory home. This message smoothly relates the general hope of the war outcome in U.S. to the promotion of government\u27s wartime bond. Riesenberg (1885 - 1971) was a Chicago based illustrator who was best known for creating posters during World War I.https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/wwiposters/1005/thumbnail.jp