---
title: 3,000,000 Belgians are destitute in Belgium (Hassall)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/britain-belgians-destitute-1915/
description: A helmeted Britannia-like guardian figure rises from clouds behind a kneeling mother and three children, under '3,000,000 Belgians are destitute in…
section: Collection
---

[Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)

[![3,000,000 Belgians are destitute in Belgium (Hassall)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/britain-belgians-destitute-1915.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/britain-belgians-destitute-1915.jpg)

# 3,000,000 Belgians are destitute in Belgium (Hassall)

A helmeted Britannia-like guardian figure rises from clouds behind a kneeling mother and three children, under '3,000,000 Belgians are destitute in Belgium' and 'They must not starve'. The tell is the allegorical protector: the figure borrows classical prestige for the appeal and casts the viewer's donation as rescue.

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
3,000,000 BELGIANS
ARE
DESTITUTE
in
BELGIUM

They must not starve.
SUPPORT THE LOCAL FUND.

Issued by The National Committee for Relief in Belgium, Trafalgar Buildings, Trafalgar Square, W.C. [small]
PRINTED BY CROWTHER & GOODMAN, 24 FENCHURCH ST, E.C. [small]

Hassall [signature]
```

[← "I hear they want more Bovril. My place is at the front" (Bovril poster, 1915)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/bovril-my-place-is-at-the-front-1915/) [Bulgaren-Held (Bulgarian Hero) →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/bulgaren-held-1915/)

## Using the same techniques

- [Bronze sestertius of Gaius (Caligula), reverse S P Q R P P OB CIVES SERVATOS in an oak wreath](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-caligula-ob-cives-servatos-0037/) (Roman Empire · 0037 · Testimonial, Transfer)
- [Gold coin of Kanishka: King of Kings legend, king at the altar, deity Oesho](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/gold-dinar-kanishka-king-of-kings-0130/) (Kushan Empire · 0130 · Transfer)
- [Gold solidus of Justinian I, reverse VICTORIA AVGGG with Victory holding a Christogram staff](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/solidus-justinian-i-victoria-avggg-0538/) (Byzantine Empire · 0538 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Bayeux Tapestry, scene 23: UBI HAROLD SACRAMENTVM FECIT VVILLELMO DVCI](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/bayeux-tapestry-harold-oath-to-william-1070/) (Kingdom of England · 1070 · Transfer, Card stacking)
- [Mughal gold coin of Jahangir, dated 1028 AH, with a bull inside a ring of sun rays](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/jahangir-gold-zodiac-coin-sun-rays-1619/) (Mughal Empire · 1619 · Transfer)
- [Frontispiece to Eikon Basilike, The Pourtraicture of His Sacred Majestie in his Solitudes and Sufferings (Hollar, 1649)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eikon-basilike-frontispiece-hollar-1649/) (Dutch Republic · 1649 · Transfer, Glittering generalities)
- [Consult of the doctors on the grave illness of the Grand Sultan (Consult vande medicijnen inde swaere siekte vanden grooten Sultaen)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/consult-of-the-doctors-sick-sultan-antwerp-1683/) (Spanish Netherlands · 1683 · Transfer, Bandwagon)
- [The Highlanders Medley, or The Duke Triumphant (A Loyal Song)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/highlanders-medley-duke-triumphant-1746/) (Great Britain · 1746 · Name-calling, Transfer)