James Montgomery Flagg, born June 18, 1877, became one of America’s most prolific illustrators, known for his bold lines and expressive style. His most famous creation—the “I Want YOU for U.S. Army” recruitment poster—featured a stern Uncle Sam pointing directly at the viewer. In a stroke of practicality and genius, Flagg used his own face as the model, aging his features and adding a white goatee.
Printed more than four million times during World War I, the poster became one of the most recognizable images in American history. Flagg’s self-portrait, transformed into a national symbol, endures as a powerful piece of visual propaganda and a defining icon of American identity. Learn more about the Uncle Sam poster.
