Chris Calle: WWII - Willie & Joe

Artist: Chris Calle
1961 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1993
Image Size: 23 by 13 inches
Overall Size: 23 by 18.75 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

No one person was more responsible for immortalizing the American infantryman in World War II than cartoonist Bill Mauldin. Although only 18 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army, the boyish looking recruit from New Mexico, who worked for the Stars and Stripes, was able to capture the grim wit of the foxhole in a way that was loved by men in the ranks and hated by many of their officers. His most memorable creations were Willie and Joe, two sardonically humorous combat soldiers who did a lot of griping but still got the job done. The folks at home also loved Willie and Joe, for these two unromantic characters gave them an accurate picture of what it was like to be an American GI. Because Americans were new to the war, their inexperience cost them dearly in the beginning, but they quickly earned the enemy's respect as a formidable opponent. In fact, German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel said it best, "What was really amazing was the speed with which the Americans adapted themselves to modern warfare. Starting from scratch an army has been crafted in the very minimum of time, which, in equipment, armament and organization of all arms, surpasses anything the world has yet seen." After the war, Bill Mauldin went on to draw cartoons about the soldier's difficult transition back to civilian life. He received a Pulitzer Prize for one of his cartoons in 1945, and another in 1959. Mauldin continued his life's work as a political cartoonist until his retirement in 1992.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Maximum Card for the U.S. 29¢ WWII stamp issued May 31, 1993.

Artwork Copyright © 1993 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB14277

US$ Price: $1,300.00

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