Belgium by George Ranstead

Drawing on a postcard showing a small child looking cold and frightened, meant to represent Belgium which had fallen to German forces in the first few weeks of the First World War. Brave Little Belgium was a frequent symbol used to rally support for Britain's involvement in the conflict. George Ranstead was an amateur artist of the Great War who served in the Army Pay Corps. Ranstead was one of many soldiers of WWI who took up drawing as a hobby. His subjects range from wartime humour to pictures of pretty girls and are clearly influenced by images in the illustrated magazines of the period. This particular image is reminiscent of the work of Poulbot, the famous French illustrator of children

Defeated Pathetic Rags Ranstead

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