Uncle Sam and American Flagg: James Montgomery Flagg Illustration Style

Trained on 42 paintings by the American artist James Montgomery Flagg (June 18, 1877 – May 27, 1960). He was an artist, comics artist, and illustrator. He worked in media ranging from fine art painting to cartooning, but is best remembered for his political posters, particularly his 1917 poster of Uncle Sam created for United States Army recruitment during World War I.[1]. To see his works, please go to

I will be making another LoRA based on his black and white linework illustrations.

Trivia: Flagg used his own face for that of Uncle Sam (adding age and the white goatee), he said later, simply to avoid the trouble of arranging for a model.[8]

From ChatGPT:

Flagg in 1915, photographed by Arnold Genthe

Flagg as Captain Kidd at the Illustrators' Ball, a masquerade ball in New York in 1917.[2]

James Montgomery Flagg (June 18, 1877 – May 27, 1960) was a prolific American illustrator, artist, and writer, best known as the creator of the iconic "I Want YOU for U.S. Army" recruiting poster featuring Uncle Sam.

A master of both satire and patriotic imagery, Flagg's work straddled the line between commercial illustration and national symbolism, making him one of the most recognizable visual voices of early 20th-century America.

🎨 Early Life and Career

Born in Pelham Manor, New York, Flagg was a child prodigy in art, selling his first illustrations to magazines by age 12.
He studied at the Art Students League of New York and briefly in London and Paris, where he was influenced by European academic traditions.
By his twenties, he was already a fixture in major publications like Life, Judge, and The Saturday Evening Post.

📰 Versatile Illustrator

Flagg worked across genres—producing humorous illustrations, glamorous portraits, advertisements, political cartoons, and wartime propaganda.
He had a distinct flair for caricature, confident draftsmanship, and strong, theatrical compositions that made his images instantly impactful.
His style was bold and dramatic, often blending classical realism with editorial edge.

🧔 The Icon: Uncle Sam

In 1917, Flagg created the Uncle Sam Wants You poster for U.S. Army recruitment during World War I.
The model for Uncle Sam was Flagg himself, as a cost-saving measure—he simply looked in the mirror.
This image became one of the most famous propaganda visuals in history, reused in World War II and deeply embedded in American culture.

✍️ Beyond Propaganda

Flagg also painted celebrities and political figures, including Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt.

Portrait of Mark Twain, 1900 (painting)

Theodore Roosevelt ('Men of the Day. No. 849.')
He was known for his witty, often irreverent personality and had strong opinions about art, politics, and patriotism.
Though he embraced his fame, Flagg sometimes resented being remembered solely for Uncle Sam, given his broader body of work.

🖼️ Artistic Style

Combines painterly realism with illustrative immediacy.
Strong use of gesture, facial expression, and eye contact to capture character and emotional impact.
His figures are often heroic, dramatic, or humorous—reflecting both national pride and personal charisma.

📚 Legacy

Flagg’s work represents a key era in American illustration, alongside peers like Charles Dana Gibson and Howard Chandler Christy.
He helped define the visual language of American identity in the first half of the 20th century.
Today, his legacy is seen not just in art history, but in graphic design, political art, and even pop culture reimagining of propaganda.

Model Type	LORA
Base Model	Flux.1 D
Published	5/4/2025
Trained Words	jamesmontgomeryflagg1 illustration

Uncle Sam and American Flagg: James Montgomery Flagg Illustration Style

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