Subscribe to the sixth war loan, 1914-1917; Zeichnet die sechste Kriegsanleihe, 1914-1917 Maximilian Lenz (1860-1948)

The composition presents a highly stylized and allegorical scene centered around a knight on horseback engaged in combat with a serpentine creature. The years 1914 and 1917 are prominently displayed at the top, framing the central action within a chronological context. A warm, ochre-toned background provides contrast to the figures, which are rendered in a limited palette of red, white, gold, and black, contributing to an overall sense of formality and gravity.
The knight, clad in elaborate armor adorned with what appear to be imperial eagles, wields a lance directed towards the dragon-like beast. The horse is depicted rearing up, suggesting both power and peril within the confrontation. The creature itself possesses a distinctly monstrous appearance, its form contorted in an aggressive posture, teeth bared in a threatening display. Its body coils around the lower portion of the composition, visually anchoring the scene.
The artist employed a decorative border that reinforces the symbolic nature of the work. This border is composed of stylized foliage and geometric patterns, further emphasizing the image’s function as propaganda rather than a straightforward depiction of reality. The text at the bottom, rendered in bold, blocky lettering, serves as a direct call to action – an invitation or command to subscribe to a loan initiative.
Subtexts within this work are layered and significant. The knights armor and imperial iconography suggest a representation of national strength and authority, while the dragon embodies the enemy – a faceless, monstrous force that must be vanquished. The imagery draws heavily on medieval iconography, specifically referencing Saint George and the Dragon, a popular motif used to symbolize triumph over evil. By invoking this established narrative, the artist aims to associate the war effort with notions of righteousness, heroism, and divine favor.
The overall effect is one of controlled emotion and deliberate symbolism. The image isn’t intended to evoke personal feelings but rather to inspire patriotic duty and financial contribution through a visual language that combines familiar heroic tropes with an assertive call for action.