Harvey Thomas Dunn (1884 - 1952)

Dunn was born and raised on a homestead in rural South Dakota. He attended the South Dakota Agricultural College, but soon left to pursue studies at the Art Institute of Chicago. He then studied for two years (1904–1906) with Howard Pyle in Wilmington, Delaware. Dunn launched his own studio in Wilmington, becoming a successful teacher as well as illustrator of magazines, books, and advertising.

Dunn entered the army art program in March 1918 as a captain and was soon on his way to France, where he established a reputation as a bold, even foolhardy, combat artist. His work very much centered on frontline action. Although he was one of the first to return from Europe, in February 1919, he continued painting pictures based on his war experience for many years.

In 1919, Dunn opened a studio and art school in New Jersey, where he taught hundreds of students and was a major influence on the next generation of illustrators. He was elected to the National Academy of Design and to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. Dunn’s celebrity far exceeded that of any of his fellow war artists and much more has been written about him than any of the others.

Harvey Thomas Dunn

Oil painting on canvas of an American machine gun emplacement at Seicheprey, France. Two American soldiers in olive drab uniforms are sitting in the middle of a cemetery next to their Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun.
Description
Oil painting on canvas of an American machine gun emplacement at Seicheprey, France. Two American soldiers in olive drab uniforms are sitting in the middle of a cemetery next to their Hotchkiss M1914 machine gun. There are tombstones all around the soldiers, some of which have toppled over. A section of the rock wall surrounding the cemetery has been partially destroyed at right, giving the machine gunners a better sight line. The soldiers have positioned the gun on the rubble from the ruined wall, with the barrel of the gun pointing out of the cemetery. Signed by the artist at bottom left, "Harvey Dunn, Saishprey [sic], AEF"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25709
catalog number
25709
accession number
64592
Oil painting on canvas of two American soldiers carrying another soldier on a stretcher along a line of barbed wire. The stretcher bearers are in uniform and are wearing helmets with their gas mask bags hanging from their necks.
Description
Oil painting on canvas of two American soldiers carrying another soldier on a stretcher along a line of barbed wire. The stretcher bearers are in uniform and are wearing helmets with their gas mask bags hanging from their necks. The soldier in front is looking up into the distance as he walks, while the soldier in back is walking with his head bowed. The soldier on the stretcher is wrapped in a blanket and his face is white; he is either severely injured or dead. The sky is gray with faint light coming from the left. A line of fog is rolling in from the left, slightly obscuring the soldiers and the barbed wire. At the bottom of the painting among the grass are tiny red and blue flowers. Signed by the artist at bottom left, "Harvey Dunn, 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25719
catalog number
25719
accession number
64592
Charcoal, watercolor, and pastel painting on beige paper of German prisoners and wounded American soldiers. Depicted at center are five German soldier prisoners in blue and black uniforms with red trim.
Description
Charcoal, watercolor, and pastel painting on beige paper of German prisoners and wounded American soldiers. Depicted at center are five German soldier prisoners in blue and black uniforms with red trim. They are supporting a stretcher on their shoulders which is carrying a wounded American soldier covered in a blanket. To the left of the Germans are two severely wounded American soldiers, one with a bandaged and bloody arm who is supporting the second soldier with his arm around his shoulder. To the right of the Germans is another wounded American soldier with bloody bandages wrapped around his shoulder and his arm in a sling. Behind these soldiers are rows of other American soldiers in uniform, with helmets and rifles with bayonets, and one German prisoner wearing an officer uniform. Portions of barbed wire can be seen in the background at left. The soldiers appear to be marching down a road. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Harvey Dunn, AEF, Oct. 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25726B
accession number
64592
catalog number
25726B
Oil painting on canvas of a German prisoner being escorted through a shell-torn village by a group of American soldiers. The German prisoner, seen in the center of the painting, is wearing a stormtrooper helmet (stahlhelm) and a black uniform with red trim and is unarmed.
Description
Oil painting on canvas of a German prisoner being escorted through a shell-torn village by a group of American soldiers. The German prisoner, seen in the center of the painting, is wearing a stormtrooper helmet (stahlhelm) and a black uniform with red trim and is unarmed. He is surrounded by five American soldiers in olive drab uniforms who are carrying rifles with bayonets fixed (most likely M1903 Springfield rifles). On the left, another American soldier and a French soldier in a blue uniform are watching the group from behind the collapsed wall of a building. In the background on the right, four American soldiers are standing with another French soldier drinking coffee. There are shell-torn buildings in the background and piles of rubble on the ground. Signed at bottom left by the artist, 'Harvey Dunn, 18"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25723
catalog number
25723
accession number
64592
Oil painting on canvas with a black frame of an American soldier looking out of a trench. The American soldier is wearing an olive drab uniform and a steel helmet with his gas mask hanging around his neck. He is standing with only his head and shoulders exposed.
Description
Oil painting on canvas with a black frame of an American soldier looking out of a trench. The American soldier is wearing an olive drab uniform and a steel helmet with his gas mask hanging around his neck. He is standing with only his head and shoulders exposed. On the embankment in front of the soldier is an M1903 Springfield rifle with bayonet attached, a pair of binoculars, and six fragmentation grenades (Mk. I or II). There are patches of grass growing around the trench and the wooden supports of the trench wall can be seen behind the soldier. Barbed wire posts can be seen in the background at right, fading into the early morning light. Signed at bottom right by the artist, "Harvey Dunn 1918"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25708
accession number
64592
catalog number
25708

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.