Altona’s Opfertag, 18. Januar – Wilhelm Battermann (1916) – Patriotic WWI Poster Print

Wilhelm Battermann created this German World War I fundraising poster for the Altonaer Kriegshilfe (Altona War Relief), which organized the Opfertag, or “Offering Day,” on January 18, 1916. The date was also the anniversary of the 1871 proclamation of the German Empire, and the poster calls on residents of Altona to remember those placed in hardship by the war and contribute to local relief efforts.

A weary German infantryman dominates the foreground, gripping his rifle as a softly rendered vision of a woman and her children appears behind him. The contrast between the soldier’s dark, heavily modeled figure and the warm, luminous family scene emphasizes the human stakes of the appeal. Deep navy, ochre, cream, and muted red give the lithograph a somber yet dramatic appearance, while the elaborate blackletter typography and heraldic architectural motifs reinforce its distinctly German character. It is a particularly compelling example of World War I propaganda art that uses emotional storytelling not simply to glorify military service, but to encourage charitable support for those affected by the conflict.

 

🖨️ Print features:

– Made with museum-grade archival paper for excellent printing fidelity and vibrant color reproduction

– Paper weight: 189 g/m2

– For indoor use only

– Care instructions: If the print does gather any dust, you may wipe it off gently with a clean, dry cloth.

– Please note: Due to the production process of these posters, please allow for slight size deviations with a tolerance +/- 1/16″

 

🚚 Fulfillment, Shipping, and Return Policy:

– Printed and shipped from the U.S.

– Ships in a sturdy mailing tube, frame not included

– As our items are unique and made to order, we can only accept a return or exchange in the event that an item arrives damaged or misprinted. We cannot accept returns if you order the wrong size or change your mind. Any return requests must be made within 14 days of receiving the order.

 

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