Iconic US Election Posters Through History
As the 2020 US presidential election unfolds with a tight race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden, Artribune presents a selection of the most iconic campaign posters in American history. The collection spans from 1856 to 2008, highlighting visual strategies from James Fremont's aggressive 1856 poster to Shepard Fairey's iconic 2008 portrait of Barack Obama. Notable entries include Jimmy Carter's messianic 1976 poster playing on his initials (J.C.), Gerald Ford's 1976 depiction as Fonzie from Happy Days, and Eugene McCarthy's 1968 peace dove design inspired by Picasso. The posters reflect shifting aesthetics and political messaging, from Ulysses Grant's 1868 unionist imagery to Shirley Chisholm's 1972 groundbreaking candidacy as the first African American woman to run for a major party nomination. The Library of Congress provided most images.
Key facts
- Shepard Fairey designed Barack Obama's 2008 campaign poster.
- Jimmy Carter's 1976 poster used his initials J.C. to evoke Jesus Christ.
- Gerald Ford was depicted as Fonzie in a 1976 poster.
- Eugene McCarthy's 1968 poster featured a Picasso-inspired dove.
- Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman to run for president in 1972.
- James Fremont's 1856 poster was considered offensive and contributed to his defeat.
- Barry Commoner and LaDonna Harris ran on the Citizens Party ticket in 1980.
- Dick Gregory ran as a Peace and Freedom Party candidate in 1968.
Entities
Artists
- Shepard Fairey
- Pablo Picasso
- Henryk Tomaszewski
Institutions
- Library of Congress
- Artribune
- Citizens Party
- Peace and Freedom Party
- Democratic Party
- Republican Party
Locations
- United States
- Minnesota
- Washington D.C.