I Want You for the U.S. Army

James Montgomery Flagg was an American illustrator and painter best known for his iconic patriotic imagery, particularly the 1917 'I Want You' recruitment poster featuring Uncle Sam. Working primarily in pen, ink, and gouache, Flagg developed a bold graphic style suited to commercial campaigns and editorial work. His illustrations appeared widely in major American publications throughout the early twentieth century. Beyond propaganda, he painted society portraits and produced easel paintings that reflected his command of figure drawing and compositional clarity. His visual language became foundational to American mass culture and wartime communication.

James Montgomery Flagg House