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.

Name: Peixotto, Ernest Clifford

Saint Aignan, Headquarters of the Forty-First Division

Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. Scene of a village from across a river. Trees line the opposite bank; a large chateau or house is in the right background. On the left of the drawing is a church.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. Scene of a village from across a river. Trees line the opposite bank; a large chateau or house is in the right background. On the left of the drawing is a church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25863
catalog number
25863
accession number
64592

General View of the Great Yards at Is-Sur-Tille

Pencil and crayon sketch on paper. The work is a view of the railroad yards at Is-sur-Tille, France. Long, low buildings are depicted in the middle ground.
Description
Pencil and crayon sketch on paper. The work is a view of the railroad yards at Is-sur-Tille, France. Long, low buildings are depicted in the middle ground. Divisional files indicate that the artist noted "Fifty miles of railroad track, combined with barracks and warehouses, cover several square miles in this area."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25829
catalog number
25829
accession number
64592

Locomotive Shops Near St. Nazaire

Charcoal, pencil, and ink wash drawing on white card stock. The work depicts the interior of a locomotive shop near St. Nazaire, France. Men are working on the engines in the shop.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal, pencil, and ink wash drawing on white card stock. The work depicts the interior of a locomotive shop near St. Nazaire, France. Men are working on the engines in the shop.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25842
catalog number
25842
accession number
64592

Ruined Torcy

Ink wash with charcoal on paper. The paper is affixed to a larger piece of beige cardboard. The drawing depicts a shell torn gothic church and the cemetery beside it. A tree stands behind the cemetery wall.
Description
Ink wash with charcoal on paper. The paper is affixed to a larger piece of beige cardboard. The drawing depicts a shell torn gothic church and the cemetery beside it. A tree stands behind the cemetery wall. The church and cemetery and bordered by a street that runs diagonally through the picture. More rubble is on the right of the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25857
catalog number
25857
accession number
64592

Entrance to the Old Chateau, Granpre

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

Afternoon Concert in the Courtyard at Hospital at Langres

Pencil sketch on paper. Underneath a stand of trees, a large band plays for a group of men assembled in a courtyard. In the center foreground, a man in a wheelchair listens to the concert.
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. Underneath a stand of trees, a large band plays for a group of men assembled in a courtyard. In the center foreground, a man in a wheelchair listens to the concert. The sketch is attached to heavy card that has a label affixed at the bottom center that reads "AFTERNOON CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD/AT HOSPITAL AT LANGRES/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2957."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25799
catalog number
25799
accession number
64592

American Soldiers Washing Up

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

Headquarters of the American Army Schools

Ink wash and pencil sketch on paper. The work depicts a large, stately home in Langres, France which was converted to the Headquarters of the American Army Schools during World War I.
Description
Ink wash and pencil sketch on paper. The work depicts a large, stately home in Langres, France which was converted to the Headquarters of the American Army Schools during World War I. An automobile is in the drive and a man is walking up stairs to the entrance of the building.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25836
catalog number
25836
accession number
64592

Ruined Church at Seringes

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

A Major's Dugout in Belleau Wood

Charcoal sketch on paper showing a dugout in Belleau wood. Three sides of rectangular cell are depicted; a pallet appears on the right with other objects on the floor. A label attached to the cardboard mount reads: "A MAJOR'S DUGOUT IN BELLEAU WOOD/June, 1918/BY E.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper showing a dugout in Belleau wood. Three sides of rectangular cell are depicted; a pallet appears on the right with other objects on the floor. A label attached to the cardboard mount reads: "A MAJOR'S DUGOUT IN BELLEAU WOOD/June, 1918/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2954."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06
associated date
1918-06
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25796
catalog number
25796
accession number
64592

Ruins in the Main Square Fere-En-Tardenois

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

Thiaucourt Church After the Final Bombardment

Charcoal drawing on light green paper of a ruined church in Thiaucourt, France, after the final bombardment. The church is badly damaged by shell fire with only part of the structure still standing.
Description
Charcoal drawing on light green paper of a ruined church in Thiaucourt, France, after the final bombardment. The church is badly damaged by shell fire with only part of the structure still standing. Most of the church has been reduced to a large pile of rubble and debris, which surrounds the church. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Peixotto / Thiaucourt"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25889
catalog number
25889
accession number
64592

A Transport Loaded with Troops

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

Nantes, July 1918

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

Ships at Harbor

Charcoal sketch on paper of ships at harbor in Nantes, France. Depicted is a busy scene with ships and cranes lining either side of the harbor. Several rail cars and vehicles are visible moving supplies at left.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of ships at harbor in Nantes, France. Depicted is a busy scene with ships and cranes lining either side of the harbor. Several rail cars and vehicles are visible moving supplies at left. In the distance the city of Nantes is visible with hundreds of buildings including a round dome with a spire on top.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25877
catalog number
25877
accession number
64592

Unloading Freighter

Watercolor and ink sketch on paper of workers unloading a large freighter at a shipyard. The freighter is seen at center right amid large stacks of supplies. Dock workers transport the supplies from the docks to rail cars and buildings at left.
Description
Watercolor and ink sketch on paper of workers unloading a large freighter at a shipyard. The freighter is seen at center right amid large stacks of supplies. Dock workers transport the supplies from the docks to rail cars and buildings at left. At the rear of the freighter is a crane and behind the crane in the distance is a large building. Signed by the artist at bottom right, "Peixotto 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25894
catalog number
25894
accession number
64592

Church in Badonviller

Charcoal sketch on blue-gray paper of a church that has been badly damaged by war. The church is visible in the background with most of its spire missing. Several shell-torn buildings line the street leading up to the church.
Description
Charcoal sketch on blue-gray paper of a church that has been badly damaged by war. The church is visible in the background with most of its spire missing. Several shell-torn buildings line the street leading up to the church. Soldiers stand along the street with piles of rubble from the ruined buildings littering the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-04
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25822
catalog number
25822
accession number
64592

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.