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.

Topic: Military

Alex McCarrell Patch

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of three star General Alex H. Patch. Patch wear a khaki uniform (without color insignia or stars on his shoulder loops) and a white scarf. He also wears a M1 helmet with three silver stars.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of three star General Alex H. Patch. Patch wear a khaki uniform (without color insignia or stars on his shoulder loops) and a white scarf. He also wears a M1 helmet with three silver stars. Patch is in front of a green background.
Location
Currently not on view
associated date
1941 - 1945
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.46998
catalog number
46998
accession number
46998

Burton M. Baker

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of Private Burton M. Baker. Baker wears a 42nd infantry division patch on the shoulder of the left arm sleeve of his coat (possibly a M1917 overcoat or infantry raincoat). He also wears a M1917 helmet with chinstrap.Currently not on view
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of Private Burton M. Baker. Baker wears a 42nd infantry division patch on the shoulder of the left arm sleeve of his coat (possibly a M1917 overcoat or infantry raincoat). He also wears a M1917 helmet with chinstrap.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58039M
catalog number
58039M
accession number
203612

Edgar Russel

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of one star General Edgar Russel. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include Spanish Campaign and Philippine Campaign. Russel wears officer pins on his collar and a Sam Browne belt.
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of one star General Edgar Russel. Army Service Ribbons for Decorations and Medals include Spanish Campaign and Philippine Campaign. Russel wears officer pins on his collar and a Sam Browne belt. He possibly wears a additional decoration below his service ribbons (gold/bronze 3 inches wide but no distinguishing marks). Russel is clean shaven and has white/grey hair. His signature is on the bottom left in black crayon. Catalogue card reads: Painted in France by Jos. C. Chase. Presented in 1922-31.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.37721
catalog number
37721
accession number
117218

Left by the Hun - A 152 Millimeter Mortar

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

Dun-Sur-Meuse

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

In the Bishop's Palace, Verdun

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

The Bridge at Château Thierry

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

Two Six-Ton Tanks Climbing a Hill

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

Returning Refugees Hatton Chattel

Charcoal, ink wash, and gouache drawing on beige textured paper. The work depicts refugees returning to a shell torn village in Hatton Chattel, France. Older men, women, children, sheep and a mule laden with clothing gather in front of a severely damaged building.
Description
Charcoal, ink wash, and gouache drawing on beige textured paper. The work depicts refugees returning to a shell torn village in Hatton Chattel, France. Older men, women, children, sheep and a mule laden with clothing gather in front of a severely damaged building. An American soldier is standing in the center of the drawing. In the foreground on the left, a man in dark clothes stands looking at the crowd.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25664
catalog number
25664
accession number
64592

E. A. Kreger

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of one star General E. A. Kreger. Kreger wears two officer and two Judge Advocate General's Department pins on his collar. He also wears glasses and a Sam Browne belt. Kreger's hair is grey.Currently not on view
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of one star General E. A. Kreger. Kreger wears two officer and two Judge Advocate General's Department pins on his collar. He also wears glasses and a Sam Browne belt. Kreger's hair is grey.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58107M
catalog number
58107M
accession number
203612

In the St. Mihiel Sector

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

The Machine Gunner

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

A Corner House at Badonviller

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

Joseph H. Stowers

Oil on illustration board. Portrait of Sergeant Joseph H. Stowers. Stowers wears a Alabama State Letters collar disk on the collar of his tunic and two gold chevrons on his lower left arm sleeve (indicating overseas service).
Description
Oil on illustration board. Portrait of Sergeant Joseph H. Stowers. Stowers wears a Alabama State Letters collar disk on the collar of his tunic and two gold chevrons on his lower left arm sleeve (indicating overseas service). He also wears a M1917 helmet with the chinstrap worn above the rim. Stowers rests his right arm on the back of a chair. Only his head, helmet, and chevrons are filled in with color. His signature in red crayon is in the top left corner.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
Associated Date
1919
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58064M
catalog number
58064M
accession number
203612

The Rhine Looking Down Stream from Coblenz

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

Main Street, Varennes

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

Distant View of Hattonchatel

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

In Billets

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

Village in Germany

Graphite, black crayon, sanguine crayon, and white gouache sketch. Village scene with traditional houses around a road. Several children, a woman, and a dog are in the road, along with two American soldiers and a horse.
Description
Graphite, black crayon, sanguine crayon, and white gouache sketch. Village scene with traditional houses around a road. Several children, a woman, and a dog are in the road, along with two American soldiers and a horse. On the far right of the sketch, several men are sitting together next to a fence. The sketch is done on dark gray wove paper and mounted on tan card ruled with decorative lines. Written beneath the sketch, on the tan card, is the following inscription: "An invaded village in Germany-/Zone of the American Army of Occupation".
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-12-15
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Duncan, Walter Jack
ID Number
AF.25704A
catalog number
25704A
accession number
64592

Officers Mess, Ammunition Train

Ink wash on white paper. A group of American and French officers that are part of an ammunition train eat in a hilly field. The officers are sitting on crates, possibly filled with supplies. They're positioned directly in front of a big white tent.
Description
Ink wash on white paper. A group of American and French officers that are part of an ammunition train eat in a hilly field. The officers are sitting on crates, possibly filled with supplies. They're positioned directly in front of a big white tent. There is a large tree on the righthand side, and another tent visible in background on a hilltop.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-08
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26117
catalog number
26117
accession number
64592

Machine Gun Outfit Near Esnes

Charcoal sketch. Shell bursts light up the horizon in the background. Soldiers in foreground, crouched and on the move. A horse is hitched to machine gun equipment. Three denuded trees between the soldiers and the horizon.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch. Shell bursts light up the horizon in the background. Soldiers in foreground, crouched and on the move. A horse is hitched to machine gun equipment. Three denuded trees between the soldiers and the horizon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25774
catalog number
25774
accession number
64592

On the Edge of Beaumont

Mixed media on paper. Sketch shows two buildings separated by trees. A handful of soldiers stand in front of the building on the right. There are also soldiers on the far right of the frame.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media on paper. Sketch shows two buildings separated by trees. A handful of soldiers stand in front of the building on the right. There are also soldiers on the far right of the frame.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Smith, J. Andre
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.26025
catalog number
26025
accession number
64592

Paul W. Bradley

Oil painting on illustration board. Portrait of Corporal Paul. W. Bradley. Bradley wears the 42nd Infantry Division patch on the shoulder of his left arm sleeve. He also wears three gold overseas chevrons on the bottom of his left arm sleeve.Currently not on view
Description
Oil painting on illustration board. Portrait of Corporal Paul. W. Bradley. Bradley wears the 42nd Infantry Division patch on the shoulder of his left arm sleeve. He also wears three gold overseas chevrons on the bottom of his left arm sleeve.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1919
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Chase, Joseph Cummings
Chase, Joseph Cummings
artist
Chase, Joseph Cummings
ID Number
AF.58041M
catalog number
58041M
accession number
203612

Flying Field at Issoudun

A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Field Number One at Issoudun, France. The busy airfield depicted here was part of a large training complex for the U.S. Air Service during World War I.Currently not on view
Description
A pencil and watercolor sketch on paper of Field Number One at Issoudun, France. The busy airfield depicted here was part of a large training complex for the U.S. Air Service during World War I.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Smith, J. Andre
ID Number
AF.25984
catalog number
25984
accession number
64592

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