Federal Art Project poster

Pneumonia strikes

16 Dec 2014 | From Bryon of USA

OFFICIAL POSTCROSSING

The postcard is part of 'A Picture of Health: 30 Health & Fitness Postcards' published in 2012 in the USA. The complete title of the artwork is 'Pneumonia strikes like a man eating shark led by its pilot fish the common cold Consult your physician'. It was created by G.S. Jr and published for the Federal Art Project, W.P.A., (1936 or 1937). The poster is to encourage citizens to "consult your physician" for treatment of the common cold, showing a shark. Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the microscopic air sacs known as alveoli. It was regarded by William Osler in the 19th century as "the captain of the men of death," the advent of antibiotic therapy and vaccines in the 20th century has seen improvements in survival. Nevertheless, in developing countries, and among the very old, the very young, and the chronically ill, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death.

The Federal Art Project (FAP) was the visual arts arm of the Great Depression-era New Deal Works Progress Administration Federal Project Number One program in the United States. FAP artists created posters, murals and paintings. Some works still stand among the most-significant pieces of public art in the country.