La Pensée
Quel plaisir de conter. Quel bonheur de le lire.

Public Domain

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Images(3)

Publisher La PenséeFrench, active early 20th century

CultureFrench

Titles

Quel plaisir de conter. Quel bonheur de le lire.
What a pleasure to tell. What happiness to read it.

Datec. 1914–1917

PlaceFrance

MediumGelatin silver print with applied color

DimensionsImage: 5 3/8 × 3 7/16 in. (13.7 × 8.7 cm)
Sheet: 5 3/8 x 3 7/16 in. (13.7 x 8.7 cm)

Credit LineGift of Will Michels in honor of his aunt, Cheryl Roy

Object number2010.1838

Not on view

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Department

Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionDuring WWI, communication between soldiers and loved ones often took the form of postcards, which quickly expressed a soldier’s status by way of the image on the card’s front. This hand-colored example produced for injured soldiers include the stereotypical French soldier known as Poilu (hairy one), who corresponds with his wife and daughter as he recuperates. In addition to providing easy correspondence, these photographic postcards served as a model for patriotic strength during wartime. A small portrait of French general Joseph Joffre hangs in the background of the image, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and patriotism in war.
ProvenanceWill Michels, Houston; given to MFAH, 2010.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

Printed in white, recto, lower right: “La Pensée”
Printed in black, recto, bottom center: Quel Plaisir de conter. // Quel Bonheur de le lire.
Printed in black, recto, bottom right: 46
Printed on verso: Fabrication française

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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