Art

The National Museum of American History is not an art museum. But works of art fill its collections and testify to the vital place of art in everyday American life. The ceramics collections hold hundreds of examples of American and European art glass and pottery. Fashion sketches, illustrations, and prints are part of the costume collections. Donations from ethnic and cultural communities include many homemade religious ornaments, paintings, and figures. The Harry T Peters "America on Stone" collection alone comprises some 1,700 color prints of scenes from the 1800s. The National Quilt Collection is art on fabric. And the tools of artists and artisans are part of the Museum's collections, too, in the form of printing plates, woodblock tools, photographic equipment, and potters' stamps, kilns, and wheels.

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch depicts the edge of a wooded area, with timber fortifications in the center of the scene. Hills and small houses in the background.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch depicts the edge of a wooded area, with timber fortifications in the center of the scene. Hills and small houses in the background. Belleau Wood was the scene of intense fighting between Allied soldiers and the German Army towards the end of the First World War.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26028
catalog number
26028
accession number
64592
Ink wash on white paper mounted on white card stock. Loose white card stock frame covers the piece. This sketch is a portrait of a French soldier in profile view. The soldier is wearing a French steel helmet and is carrying a cane or stick.
Description
Ink wash on white paper mounted on white card stock. Loose white card stock frame covers the piece. This sketch is a portrait of a French soldier in profile view. The soldier is wearing a French steel helmet and is carrying a cane or stick. There are three chevrons visible on his left sleeve, which symbolize war service. The soldier is also carrying some sort of bag on his shoulder.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26120
catalog number
26120
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on white paper of American soldiers American soldiers huddled in a trench, presumably getting ready for battle and preparing for a gas attack. Some soldiers are wearing gas masks, while others peek over the trench walls.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper of American soldiers American soldiers huddled in a trench, presumably getting ready for battle and preparing for a gas attack. Some soldiers are wearing gas masks, while others peek over the trench walls. In the background at right there is an overturned tank behind a dead horse. There is barbed wire in the background on the left. Toxic gasses, such as chlorine and mustard gas, were used in World War I by enemy armies as part of chemical warfare. When gas was detected, an alarm was raised and soldiers would put on their gas masks to avoid injuries, such as chemical burns and blindness, or death.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26115
catalog number
26115
accession number
64592
Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows an American soldier standing in the foreground on the left. He is next to an elaborate cross on a hill, looking out over a village, which is in the background on the right.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch shows an American soldier standing in the foreground on the left. He is next to an elaborate cross on a hill, looking out over a village, which is in the background on the right. The Argonne forest was the site of a major battle during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26063
catalog number
26063
accession number
64592
A charcoal sketch on paper. This landscape shows Grandpre, France. In the foreground is a battleground with dugouts, barbed wire entanglements, and a bare tree on the left.
Description
A charcoal sketch on paper. This landscape shows Grandpre, France. In the foreground is a battleground with dugouts, barbed wire entanglements, and a bare tree on the left. Beyond the battleground are shell torn buildings, including a large church in the center that has some roof damage. The church is most likely the Église Saint-Médard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25989
catalog number
25989
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Sketch shows groups of American soldiers marching off into the distance between army motor trucks on a dirt road. The road is surrounded by large dead trees and barbed wire entanglements on either side. Rolling hills and fields in the distance.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Sketch shows groups of American soldiers marching off into the distance between army motor trucks on a dirt road. The road is surrounded by large dead trees and barbed wire entanglements on either side. Rolling hills and fields in the distance. The sky is very cloudy and dark with observation balloons floating in the distance.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26080
catalog number
26080
accession number
64592
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on brown paper mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of a railhead dump at Menil-la-Tour.
Description
A charcoal and watercolor sketch on brown paper mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of a railhead dump at Menil-la-Tour. Approximately nine men wearing blue, possibly French, are seen in the sketch all over the picture. Seven men are working around a tall pile of baled hay seen in the center of the sketch. Another two men are working on the right side, dragging a sheet. Several tall covered piles are seen besides the hay pile. Two flat cars are seen on the rails. Trash is seen in on the right side behind a lone tree. Behind the trash is a building.
The sketch is mostly colored, but it is not entirely sketched. The sky is colored blue. The tree and the grass are painted green. Other colors include light blue, red, and brown/pink for the ground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26058
catalog number
26058
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on yellow paper that is mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of an airplane shop with workers assembling airplanes at Romorantin.
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on yellow paper that is mounted on a white matte paper sealed in the front with a glass sheet and backed by a plastic sheet wrapped in plastic wrap. The scene is of an airplane shop with workers assembling airplanes at Romorantin. Approximately ten people are seen in the sketch working on three different planes. The two main planes in the sketch do not have wings attached, but the propeller and the cockpit has been built. Clerestory windows are seen in the shop along with several ceiling lamps hanging above the planes. Only a select few parts of the painting are colored in brown.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
maker
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25929
catalog number
25929
accession number
64592
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26059
catalog number
26059
accession number
64592
A charcoal and pastel sketch on paper of the Fourth Corps Headquarter sat Hesperange, Luxembourg during World War I. The scene is of a wide road leading through a village. Buildings on the left fly French and American flags.Currently not on view
Description
A charcoal and pastel sketch on paper of the Fourth Corps Headquarter sat Hesperange, Luxembourg during World War I. The scene is of a wide road leading through a village. Buildings on the left fly French and American flags.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25969
catalog number
25969
accession number
64592
Mixed media sketch on paper. French troops march over a bridge into Sedan, which was occupied by the Germans for most of World War I. The river is in the foreground, and the buildings of Sedan are in the background.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. French troops march over a bridge into Sedan, which was occupied by the Germans for most of World War I. The river is in the foreground, and the buildings of Sedan are in the background. The flag of France flies from several of the buildings and the bridge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11-17
1918-11-17
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26055
catalog number
26055
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash on white board. The ruined village of Varennes, France is visible on the far side of a canal bordered by a wall. The buildings are shell-torn and debris spills out in to the road running beside the river.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash on white board. The ruined village of Varennes, France is visible on the far side of a canal bordered by a wall. The buildings are shell-torn and debris spills out in to the road running beside the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25860
catalog number
25860
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on white paper of two American soldiers standing next to a 152 millimeter German field Howitzer. The gun appears to have been left by retreating Germans. The soldiers are in uniform and the soldier at front is standing with his hands on his hips.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper of two American soldiers standing next to a 152 millimeter German field Howitzer. The gun appears to have been left by retreating Germans. The soldiers are in uniform and the soldier at front is standing with his hands on his hips. There is a group of horses and an American soldier behind them to the left, and a large nondescript Howitzer behind them on the right. There are open, rolling fields in the far distance.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26111
catalog number
26111
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. Troops and army trucks pass over a small bridge. A sign posted on the bridge reads "Langsam Fahren" or "Drive Slowly". A large building sits atop a hill in the background of the scene.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. Troops and army trucks pass over a small bridge. A sign posted on the bridge reads "Langsam Fahren" or "Drive Slowly". A large building sits atop a hill in the background of the scene. Buildings line the road on the right side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25823
catalog number
25823
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch is of a room in the bishop's palace at Verdun, France during World War I. The focal point is a broken window in the center of the sketch. The rest of the room is also in disrepair.
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper. The sketch is of a room in the bishop's palace at Verdun, France during World War I. The focal point is a broken window in the center of the sketch. The rest of the room is also in disrepair. Through the window is a view of the village of Verdun.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25999
catalog number
25999
accession number
64592
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. In the foreground, a damaged bridge extends halfway across a river. Soldiers in the river are repairing the bridge. In the background, buildings line the far bank of the river.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. In the foreground, a damaged bridge extends halfway across a river. Soldiers in the river are repairing the bridge. In the background, buildings line the far bank of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25876
catalog number
25876
accession number
64592
Watercolor and pastel on white paper of two six-ton Renault FT-17 tanks (also called "light tanks") climbing a hill. The Renault FT-17 is a two-man tank with the driver seated in front and the gunner standing behind him in the turret.
Description
Watercolor and pastel on white paper of two six-ton Renault FT-17 tanks (also called "light tanks") climbing a hill. The Renault FT-17 is a two-man tank with the driver seated in front and the gunner standing behind him in the turret. The turret is fully rotating and is mounted with a machine gun. The tank's motor compartment is in back. The tank has two tracked drive wheels which allow it to maneuver over rough terrain and a rear tail to help maintain balance when crossing trenches. The Renault is a French tank and is generally considered to be the world's first modern tank.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26110
catalog number
26110
accession number
64592
Pencil and watercolor sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. The sketch shows a telephone station trench-like structure in the foreground. There is an American soldier standing right outside of the station.
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. The sketch shows a telephone station trench-like structure in the foreground. There is an American soldier standing right outside of the station. Behind them, there are barbed wire fences, and more American soldiers (one of which is one a horse). In the distant background, destroyed structures and fields are visible. Two barrage balloons and two clouds of smoke are floating in the sky above the scene.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-13
1918-09
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26004
catalog number
26004
accession number
64592
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
maker
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25722
catalog number
25722
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a damaged house on the corner of a street in Badonviller, France during World War I. The roof and one wall of the house are shell-torn, with structural elements, rafters, and the chimney visible from the street.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a damaged house on the corner of a street in Badonviller, France during World War I. The roof and one wall of the house are shell-torn, with structural elements, rafters, and the chimney visible from the street. Pairs of soldiers are walking past and gathered around the house.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25939
catalog number
25939
accession number
64592
This pencil sketch of the Rhine River was drawn at the close of World War I by one of the official American Expeditionary Forces soldier-artists. Reaching the Rhine was a major objective of the AEF during the war.
Description
This pencil sketch of the Rhine River was drawn at the close of World War I by one of the official American Expeditionary Forces soldier-artists. Reaching the Rhine was a major objective of the AEF during the war. The American occupation of the German city of Koblenz began in December 1918, after November's armistice.
In this sketch, the Rhine River is in the foreground. Across the river, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress sits atop a hill. This fortress served as the US Army's headquarters during the occupation.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26041
catalog number
26041
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white card stock. The center of the village of Varennes is destroyed. A soldier on a motorcycle and several vehicles pass along the main raid through the village.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white card stock. The center of the village of Varennes is destroyed. A soldier on a motorcycle and several vehicles pass along the main raid through the village.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25845
catalog number
25845
accession number
64592
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Hattonchatel, France. The town sits atop a hill; in the field below is a barbed wire fence.Currently not on view
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Hattonchatel, France. The town sits atop a hill; in the field below is a barbed wire fence.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25980
catalog number
25980
accession number
64592
Charcoal and color sketch on paper. Large wagon in foreground. On the right, sitting up against a building, a line of American troops and French women are stripping willow boughs for baskets. Team of mules on the left. Trees in the background and hills in the distance.
Description
Charcoal and color sketch on paper. Large wagon in foreground. On the right, sitting up against a building, a line of American troops and French women are stripping willow boughs for baskets. Team of mules on the left. Trees in the background and hills in the distance. A label affixed to the lower right corner of the drawing reads: "1. x16392/IN BILLETS. American boys helping French women strip willow/bows [sic] for baskets./Reherry." The sketch is affixed to a larger piece of cardboard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25770
catalog number
25770
accession number
64592

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