William James Aylward (1875 - 1956)

The Milwaukee-born son of a shipbuilder who sailed the Great Lakes, Aylward grew up around the ships and docks that became the center of his painting. He received his first training at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students’ League in New York. Later he studied with the famous illustrator-teacher Howard Pyle (as did four of the other official war artists). He also traveled extensively and spent several years in France, painting and studying privately, all the time pursuing a highly successful career as a magazine, book, and advertising illustrator, best known for nautical themes.

Selected for the official art program, Aylward received a captain’s commission in March 1918 and sailed to join the American Expeditionary Force in France, where he remained until the summer of 1919. As a war artist, he concentrated on logistics, especially the French ports.

After the war Aylward resumed his career as an illustrator, and also taught at the Pennsylvania Institute of Art, the School of Fine and Industrial Art in Newark, N.J., and the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y.

William James Aylward

Search term: *:* Place: Château-Thierry Clear All

Crossing the Pontoon Bridge, Château Thierry

A mixed media drawing on white textured paper showing a pontoon bridge crossing in Château-Thierry. There are five pontoon boats serving as a base for a temporary bridge. Horse-drawn supply wagons cross the bridge against the backdrop of a village.Currently not on view
Description
A mixed media drawing on white textured paper showing a pontoon bridge crossing in Château-Thierry. There are five pontoon boats serving as a base for a temporary bridge. Horse-drawn supply wagons cross the bridge against the backdrop of a village.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25653
catalog number
25653
accession number
64592

French Engineers Clearing Wreckage of Bridge Château-Thierry

Charcoal, gouache, and oil on paper. The work depicts a group of French engineers (in blue uniforms) clearing the wreckage of a bridge in Château-Thierry, France. A section of the bridge has entirely collapsed into the water.
Description
Charcoal, gouache, and oil on paper. The work depicts a group of French engineers (in blue uniforms) clearing the wreckage of a bridge in Château-Thierry, France. A section of the bridge has entirely collapsed into the water. On the left, two American soldiers sit on an intact section of the bridge. The shell-torn buildings of the town line the far side of the water.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25684A
catalog number
25684A
accession number
64592

Street Barricade at Château-Thierry

Charcoal, gouache, and watercolor drawing on paper mounted on brown board. The work depicts two American soldiers at a rubble barricade on a street in Château-Thierry, France. The two buildings on either side of the barricade are damaged.
Description
Charcoal, gouache, and watercolor drawing on paper mounted on brown board. The work depicts two American soldiers at a rubble barricade on a street in Château-Thierry, France. The two buildings on either side of the barricade are damaged. Several white buildings are in the background including one with the French word "Coiffeur" written near its roof. The sky is partly cloudy and a plane is flying overhead.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25667
catalog number
25667
accession number
64592

Sniper at Chateau Thierry

Charcoal and gouache drawing on card taped to a white matte. The work depicts an American sniper lying prone on the ground with his Springfield rifle aimed to the right of the picture. A portion of a stone structure, likely a chimney, is behind him.
Description
Charcoal and gouache drawing on card taped to a white matte. The work depicts an American sniper lying prone on the ground with his Springfield rifle aimed to the right of the picture. A portion of a stone structure, likely a chimney, is behind him. The red tiles in the drawing indicate that he is on the roof of a building.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Aylward, William James
ID Number
AF.25666
catalog number
25666
accession number
64592

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