Tomáš G. Masaryk, the Czech philosopher and statesman, wrote with optimism that the disasters of World War I ‘brought mankind closer together.’ In The New Europe, Masaryk explained that ’Internationalism, more intimate than ever, has been fostered by this war.’ Indeed, a plethora of new philanthropic institutions created during the Great War, as well as the founding of the League of Nations on January 10th, 1920, were seen as proof of the betterment of humankind.
The Combes Gallery is proud to present Monsieur X’s remarkable collection of original lithographic posters requesting solidarity. The collector hopes that all viewers will reflect on the fact that appeals for concern, compassion, and aid are anything but new, and that the posters on display will serve as a mirror for our contemporary world. In selecting the theme “Solidarity vis-à-vis Recurring Issues” Monsieur X asks us to think hard about what H.G. Wells meant when he entitled his 1914 book The War That Will End War and what Archibald Percival Wavell meant when Wavell commented that the Treaty of Versailles was “the peace to end all peace.”
Please come to the opening of “Solidarity vis-à-vis Recurring Issues” this Thursday evening from 18h00 to 20h00 in the Combes Gallery. Refreshments will be served.