Art

Panorama of the Army of the Cumberland

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.

Resource Type: Sketches

A Regiment Stops for Mess

Pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper. In this scene from the First World War, a regiment of soldiers stops for mess at Pagny-sur-Meuse, France. A large group of soldiers is assembled outdoors of what appears to be a complex of farm buildings.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil, charcoal, and watercolor sketch on paper. In this scene from the First World War, a regiment of soldiers stops for mess at Pagny-sur-Meuse, France. A large group of soldiers is assembled outdoors of what appears to be a complex of farm buildings.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25915
catalog number
25915
accession number
64592

Saddler's Room in a Monastery

Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on white thick paper. Three men stand in a room in a monastery. One of the men is making a horse saddle. Sheets of leather on workbenches are seen in the foreground, and there are tools and chains hanging on the wall to the right.
Description
Pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on white thick paper. Three men stand in a room in a monastery. One of the men is making a horse saddle. Sheets of leather on workbenches are seen in the foreground, and there are tools and chains hanging on the wall to the right. The room is dark and in the shadows, except for the area under an open window where the men are standing.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26048
catalog number
26048
accession number
64592

Mopping up Cierges 1918

Charcoal sketch on paper of four American soldiers advancing down a street in Cierges, France. The soldiers are apparently coming through the village at the end of a recent battle, making sure that the village has been cleared of all enemy combatants.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of four American soldiers advancing down a street in Cierges, France. The soldiers are apparently coming through the village at the end of a recent battle, making sure that the village has been cleared of all enemy combatants. They have their rifles drawn with bayonet attached. The street is lined with badly damaged buildings in the background. Rubble from the bombed out buildings litters the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Morgan, Wallace
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25776
catalog number
25776
accession number
64592

American Officer Mess in the Cellar

Graphite, charcoal, and ink wash sketch. Five officers sit around a table while another soldier serves them. The chair in the foreground is empty. On the table, a lamp illuminates the men's faces and casts shadows on the walls.
Description
Graphite, charcoal, and ink wash sketch. Five officers sit around a table while another soldier serves them. The chair in the foreground is empty. On the table, a lamp illuminates the men's faces and casts shadows on the walls. A box telephone and two bottles of wine are among the items on the table. The sketch is done on white wove paper mounted on beige card that is ruled with decorative graphite lines.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25688
catalog number
25688
accession number
64592

Dugouts in an Old Quarry

Black and white sketch of dugouts for soldiers in an old quarry. The makeshift dwellings are built into the side of a the quarry.
Description
Black and white sketch of dugouts for soldiers in an old quarry. The makeshift dwellings are built into the side of a the quarry. A soldier carrying sandbags walks in front of the dugouts and several other soldiers can be seen sitting near the openings of the dugouts in the distance. Soldiers can be seen moving around in lower left of sketch beneath a line of clothes hanging out to dry. A stack of supplies is seen next to the clothesline.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Morgan, Wallace
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25764
catalog number
25764
accession number
64592

A Street in Sanzey

Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige mounted. The work depicts a street in Sanzey, France during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and watercolor sketch on beige mounted. The work depicts a street in Sanzey, France during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25936
catalog number
25936
accession number
64592

A Battlefield on the Marne

Mixed media on paper. This landscape depicts a battlefield that was part of the Second Battle of the Marne during World War I. This conflict was a turning point in the war.
Description
Mixed media on paper. This landscape depicts a battlefield that was part of the Second Battle of the Marne during World War I. This conflict was a turning point in the war. On July 15-16, 1918, the 38th Regiment of the Third Infantry Division of the United States Army participated in a battle here. Two crosses marking graves in the left foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25946
catalog number
25946
accession number
64592

Infantryman

Charcoal sketch on white paper of an infantryman with the American Expeditionary Force. Depicted is an American infantry soldier, possibly a Sergeant, sitting on a hill smoking a cigarette with his hands folded in his lap.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper of an infantryman with the American Expeditionary Force. Depicted is an American infantry soldier, possibly a Sergeant, sitting on a hill smoking a cigarette with his hands folded in his lap. He is fully armed with his rifle and bayonet and is wearing a steel helmet and carrying his pack on his back. His face is seen in profile and his eyes are hidden by his helmet.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26109
catalog number
26109
accession number
64592

At the Tank Demonstration for General Staff College

Charcoal sketch on paper of a tank demonstration for the General Staff College. A large group of American soldiers, members of a tank battalion, march down a hill carrying their guns and bayonets as four light tanks advance in the same direction in the distance.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of a tank demonstration for the General Staff College. A large group of American soldiers, members of a tank battalion, march down a hill carrying their guns and bayonets as four light tanks advance in the same direction in the distance. There is a large cloud of smoke hovering in the air in the distance and a large hole in the ground, possibly a shell hole, in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-16
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26098
catalog number
26098
accession number
64592

View of Chateau Thierry

Pen and ink wash sketch with touches of graphite. Hills and battleground in distance. In the foreground, houses are being shelled; smoke rises from the shell targets. Parachutists in sky at left.
Description
Pen and ink wash sketch with touches of graphite. Hills and battleground in distance. In the foreground, houses are being shelled; smoke rises from the shell targets. Parachutists in sky at left. The sketch is done on white wove paper mounted on tan card ruled with decorative lines. A printed label is attached to the mount beneath the sketch; it reads: "VIEW OF CHATEAU THIERRY/BY W. J. DUNCAN/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2862"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25704
catalog number
25704
accession number
64592

Reherry

Mixed media sketch on paper. The sixteenth-century Church of Saint-Medard rises above the small French village of Grandpré. Grandpré's structures were damaged during World War I, like much of rural Fance along the Western Front.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. The sixteenth-century Church of Saint-Medard rises above the small French village of Grandpré. Grandpré's structures were damaged during World War I, like much of rural Fance along the Western Front. Small, partially-destructed houses and figures crowd the foreground at the intersection of what is today Rue du Clos and Rue du Moulin.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-04
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26035
catalog number
26035
accession number
64592

American Observation Post ... Near Verdun ... Handimont

Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.Currently not on view
Description
Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25802
catalog number
25802
accession number
64592

The Crossroads, Buzancy

Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background.
Description
Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background. The street is lined with business signs; an English one reads: "American Postal [illegible] Station." The other signs are in different languages.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25874
catalog number
25874
accession number
64592
64592

American Soldiers Billeted in Reception

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25803
catalog number
25803
accession number
64592

The Bridge at Dormans

Ink and pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. This sketch shows a destroyed suspension bridge. There are buildings to the left, and water and hills to the right. There are men under and on top of the bridge.Currently not on view
Description
Ink and pencil sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. This sketch shows a destroyed suspension bridge. There are buildings to the left, and water and hills to the right. There are men under and on top of the bridge.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26077
catalog number
26077
accession number
64592

Tank Surprises and Cleans Up

Charcoal sketch on white paper of a tank at a German machine gun nest. A Renault FT-17 tank has its guns pointed at a German machine gun nest. One German soldier is standing with his hands held up in surrender.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper of a tank at a German machine gun nest. A Renault FT-17 tank has its guns pointed at a German machine gun nest. One German soldier is standing with his hands held up in surrender. There is another Renault tank in the background and a plume of smoke from an explosion. More soldiers can be seen in the background at left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26092
catalog number
26092
accession number
64592

Making Nets and Camouflage Material

Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end. There is a label attached to the bottom center of the sketch that reads: "MAKING NETS AND CAMOUFLAGE MATERIAL/Central Camouflage Depot at Dijon/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/3004."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25846
catalog number
25846
accession number
64592

Our Cavalry, a Halt on Their Way to the Front. French Cavalry Coming Out.

Charcoal sketch on white paper. American cavalry are stopped by the side of the road so their horses can rest, while French cavalry ride past. American soldier standing by his horse in the foreground. French cavalry riding to the front in the background.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. American cavalry are stopped by the side of the road so their horses can rest, while French cavalry ride past. American soldier standing by his horse in the foreground. French cavalry riding to the front in the background. The Americans and French are framed by trees on the left and large sticks carried by the French on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26116
catalog number
26116
accession number
64592

A Battery of French 75's

Charcoal with brush and ink wash. Horizontal landscape format. Several buildings and trees in background; four pieces of field artillery going into action. Soldiers standing at each canon. Pile of shot on the ground in the left of the sketch.
Description
Charcoal with brush and ink wash. Horizontal landscape format. Several buildings and trees in background; four pieces of field artillery going into action. Soldiers standing at each canon. Pile of shot on the ground in the left of the sketch. Sketch done on white wove paper mounted on beige card with decorative ruled lines in graphite on the mount.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25685
catalog number
25685
accession number
64592

Boppard on the Rhine in the American Sector

Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25811
catalog number
25811
accession number
64592

The G. C. at Dawn, Badonviller

Charcoal sketch on paper of a lone soldier standing watch in a trench. The soldier has his knife drawn. Trees in the background.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of a lone soldier standing watch in a trench. The soldier has his knife drawn. Trees in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25786
catalog number
25786
accession number
64592

Varennes

Mixed media sketch on paper. In this work U.S. Captain J. Andre Smith illustrates the French commune of Varennes-en-Argonne during World War I.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. In this work U.S. Captain J. Andre Smith illustrates the French commune of Varennes-en-Argonne during World War I. Damaged buildings are shown atop of a hill along with other structures and figures which are likely soldiers walking along the Aire River.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26084
catalog number
26084
accession number
64592

The Village of Vaux

Colored sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. Sketch shows the village of Vaux, which has sustained significant damage. Some houses have holes in the roof, while others have crumbling walls.
Description
Colored sketch on white paper, mounted on thick paper. Sketch shows the village of Vaux, which has sustained significant damage. Some houses have holes in the roof, while others have crumbling walls. There are rolling hills in the background with fields and trees.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26072
catalog number
26072
accession number
64592

The House with a Shell Hole

Black and white pencil sketch on white paper, mounted to thick paper. Sketch shows the damage of one shell to a townhouse. The entire front wall of the house is missing, and the debris and rubble on the three floors is visible to the outside world.
Description
Black and white pencil sketch on white paper, mounted to thick paper. Sketch shows the damage of one shell to a townhouse. The entire front wall of the house is missing, and the debris and rubble on the three floors is visible to the outside world. More debris is scattered in the front yard. Two other, virtually undamaged houses surround what was once a home.
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.26046
catalog number
26046
accession number
64592

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