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.

Pencil sketch (with other media) of the Valley of the Marne. Hills and Chateau Thierry in the background. Shell torn trees and building in foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil sketch (with other media) of the Valley of the Marne. Hills and Chateau Thierry in the background. Shell torn trees and building in foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25818
catalog number
25818
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing depicts a street in the shadow of the buildings on the left side of the street. Two American soldiers are in the drawing: one in the far left foreground, and one walking in the center of the street. Women in the street behind the soldier.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing depicts a street in the shadow of the buildings on the left side of the street. Two American soldiers are in the drawing: one in the far left foreground, and one walking in the center of the street. Women in the street behind the soldier. A flag flies from one of the buildings in the background; it appears to be a French flag. The catalog card reads: "Town in German Alsace now in the American Zone and patrolled by American Military police. Massevaux in the Doller Valley."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25890
catalog number
25890
accession number
64592
Pencil with ink wash sketch on paper of a landscape of a town along the banks of a river. At center on the far bank is a large building, possibly a cathedral or castle, which has apparently been damaged by shell fire.
Description
Pencil with ink wash sketch on paper of a landscape of a town along the banks of a river. At center on the far bank is a large building, possibly a cathedral or castle, which has apparently been damaged by shell fire. To the right of this along the river are several other tall buildings, some with spires and towers. Below the town is a river wall and below that is a set of stairs leading to a walking path along the river. Indistinct figures can be seen along the river's edge. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Peixotto, 1918".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25865
catalog number
25865
accession number
64592
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing is a view of the River Marne near Jaulgonne, France during World War I. Men are working on a hydraulic mill in the foreground of the work.
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing is a view of the River Marne near Jaulgonne, France during World War I. Men are working on a hydraulic mill in the foreground of the work. Several buildings with shell damage are shown in the background on the banks of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-01
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25881
catalog number
25881
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on heavy white card stock. The work depicts a chateau in the area of Grandpré, France. The entrance is a large archway surmounted by a hipped roof with dormers.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on heavy white card stock. The work depicts a chateau in the area of Grandpré, France. The entrance is a large archway surmounted by a hipped roof with dormers.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25825
catalog number
25825
accession number
64592
223708
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts the interior of a ruined church at Neuvilly, France, showing the columns and roof of what appear to be the Church's central archway. A group of people are standing and sitting among the rubble.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts the interior of a ruined church at Neuvilly, France, showing the columns and roof of what appear to be the Church's central archway. A group of people are standing and sitting among the rubble. The majority of one wall is missing and the roof is badly damaged.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25838
catalog number
25838
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a damaged village in the aftermath of the Battle of Charteves. A shell-torn church and a number of smaller shell-torn buildings make up the village.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a damaged village in the aftermath of the Battle of Charteves. A shell-torn church and a number of smaller shell-torn buildings make up the village. A man, possibly a soldier, is in the street in the right foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25800
catalog number
25800
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. The sketch is a view of the river and the steps leading down to it as seen between two buildings. Several dwellings in the background. Soldier mounting steps and two soldiers at the water.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. The sketch is a view of the river and the steps leading down to it as seen between two buildings. Several dwellings in the background. Soldier mounting steps and two soldiers at the water. The sketch is mounted to a larger piece of heavy white cardboard. A label affixed to this cardboard mount reads: "11./AMERICAN SOLDIERS WASHING UP IN THE DOLLER RIVER IN AN TOWN IN GERMAN/ALSACE. (Massevaux)./Peixotto."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25804
catalog number
25804
accession number
64592
Pencil, charcoal, and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch shows damaged buildings on the central square of Fère-en-Tardenois, France during World War I. The square is empty except for a truck, a group of soldiers carrying rifles, and a few people closer to the buildings.
Description
Pencil, charcoal, and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch shows damaged buildings on the central square of Fère-en-Tardenois, France during World War I. The square is empty except for a truck, a group of soldiers carrying rifles, and a few people closer to the buildings. The buildings are pock-marked with shell damage, and many of the roofs are so damaged that the rafters are showing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25880
catalog number
25880
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch shows a village street that is lined with timber frame buildings. American troops walk up and down the street and stand or sit among the buildings.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. The sketch shows a village street that is lined with timber frame buildings. American troops walk up and down the street and stand or sit among the buildings. Lining the street are poles that have painted textiles hanging from them--forming several rows of what look like banners; these served as camouflage to prevent German observation balloons from watching troop movements. At the far left of the sketch, there is a water spigot in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25897 [dup1]
catalog number
25897
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on paper. Shell-torn church in foreground. Houses behind the church. No artist signature.Seringes-et-Nesles is a small municipality in northern France.Currently not on view
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. Shell-torn church in foreground. Houses behind the church. No artist signature.
Seringes-et-Nesles is a small municipality in northern France.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25856
catalog number
25856
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts ruined buildings along a road in Vaux, France during World War I. Shell-torn buildings and debris line both sides of the road, with a few people and a vehicle in the road in the distance.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts ruined buildings along a road in Vaux, France during World War I. Shell-torn buildings and debris line both sides of the road, with a few people and a vehicle in the road in the distance.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25899
catalog number
25899
accession number
64592
Charcoal drawing on paper. The work depicts several damaged buildings in the main square of Fère-en-Tardenois, France during World War I. A church with a tall spire and a cross atop its peaked roof dominates the center of the work.
Description
Charcoal drawing on paper. The work depicts several damaged buildings in the main square of Fère-en-Tardenois, France during World War I. A church with a tall spire and a cross atop its peaked roof dominates the center of the work. A smaller, perhaps residential, building in the foreground is partially collapsed, with debris spilling out of the exposed second floor interior.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25859
catalog number
25859
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts American troops crossing a bridge over the Rhine in the city of Koblenz, Germany. The bridge, made of planks laid over a series of boats, cuts vertically through the foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts American troops crossing a bridge over the Rhine in the city of Koblenz, Germany. The bridge, made of planks laid over a series of boats, cuts vertically through the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25826
catalog number
25826
accession number
64592
Pencil sketch on paper of a large transport ship at port loaded with soldiers. The ship is seen at center left, tied to the dock, with several large smokestacks and rigging. Tiny outlines of soldiers can be seen lining the decks of the ship.
Description
Pencil sketch on paper of a large transport ship at port loaded with soldiers. The ship is seen at center left, tied to the dock, with several large smokestacks and rigging. Tiny outlines of soldiers can be seen lining the decks of the ship. To the right of the ship is a cobblestone street with buildings lining the street. Groups of people can be seen at on the street looking up at the ship.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25798
catalog number
25798
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a winter scene of a bridge over a river. Buildings and bare trees on teh far end of bridge (on the right side of the sketch). A label below the sketch on the cardboard mount reads: "BOUNDARY BRIDGE OVER THE SURE/ECHTERNACH/BY E.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a winter scene of a bridge over a river. Buildings and bare trees on teh far end of bridge (on the right side of the sketch). A label below the sketch on the cardboard mount reads: "BOUNDARY BRIDGE OVER THE SURE/ECHTERNACH/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2970."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25812
catalog number
25812
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a ruined church spire atop a hill in Flirey, France. Troops and army trucks are in the road near the remains of a communicating trench in the foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a ruined church spire atop a hill in Flirey, France. Troops and army trucks are in the road near the remains of a communicating trench in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25827
catalog number
25827
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper of the shipyard at Nantes, France. Depicted at center left is a large ship painted with black and white dazzle camouflage. Behind that are several more ships in the distance, including others with various patterns of dazzle camouflage.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of the shipyard at Nantes, France. Depicted at center left is a large ship painted with black and white dazzle camouflage. Behind that are several more ships in the distance, including others with various patterns of dazzle camouflage. In the foreground are several towers along the docks, with small buildings, cranes, and people walking around the shipyard. The water of the harbor disappears into the distance at right. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Peixotto / July 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25885
catalog number
25885
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 paper. A diagonal line of several ruined buildings is depicted. A man mounted on a horse stands in what used to be the street.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. A diagonal line of several ruined buildings is depicted. A man mounted on a horse stands in what used to be the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25858
catalog number
25858
accession number
64592
Oil on canvas. Painting of damaged buildings. Large severly damged buildings in background. A building, possibly a church, has part of its tower remaining in left background. A building with a open doorway and no roof in right background.
Description
Oil on canvas. Painting of damaged buildings. Large severly damged buildings in background. A building, possibly a church, has part of its tower remaining in left background. A building with a open doorway and no roof in right background. Three soldiers rest near the open door way. A soldier, facing away from the viewer, is carrying a gun on his back in left foreground. Catalogue card reads "Seicheprey. In the front lines where the first gas attack was launched against men of the 26th Division in the spring of 1918."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.35932
catalog number
35932
accession number
104470
Mixed media sketch on paper. In the sketch, a column of troops advances down a road that runs from the left background to the right foreground. The landscape behind the troops shows the effects of the war.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. In the sketch, a column of troops advances down a road that runs from the left background to the right foreground. The landscape behind the troops shows the effects of the war. A piece of equipment appears to be stuck on the side of the road on the left side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-26
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25892
catalog number
25892
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on paper. Interior scene of a building with exposed rafters; barrels grouped and stacked in various places. Women working on the left. A soldier stands among some barrels on the right.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. Interior scene of a building with exposed rafters; barrels grouped and stacked in various places. Women working on the left. A soldier stands among some barrels on the right. The catalog card reads "Sketch showing the paint shop in the central American camouflage depot at Dijon."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25883
catalog number
25883
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

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