In this American poster, the artist took a deceptively simple approach. The poster recalls the traditional image of the nun as nurse, at the same as it shifts that image in subtle ways. The central figure reaches out to the viewer in gentle supplication. Her expression is calm and steady, suggesting certainty of purpose but not aggression. Her uniform, however, resembles a bride’s dress more than a nun’s habit, with shear sleeves that emphasize the wearer’s femininity, an impression that is heightened by her long hair, which is worn down, instead of tucked up under her cap. As you look at the image, ask yourself why the artist made the choices he or she did.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER