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

Search term: *:* Place: Marne Clear All

Battle of the Marne

Pastel and watercolor drawing on paper of American soldiers advancing during the Second Battle of the Marne. Soldiers in uniform with guns and bayonets drawn advance up a hill that is covered in long grass with blue and red flowers.
Description
Pastel and watercolor drawing on paper of American soldiers advancing during the Second Battle of the Marne. Soldiers in uniform with guns and bayonets drawn advance up a hill that is covered in long grass with blue and red flowers. In the background at left is a cluster of trees, one of which has almost been cut in half and leans in the direction of the soldiers. In the background at right is a war torn village. The sky overhead is full of dark blue and gray clouds.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.67520M
catalog number
67520M
accession number
229290

Street Fighting

A charcoal, pastel and watercolor drawing on beige textured paper. Depicted is an American soldier in oliver drab uniform firing his M1903 Springfield rifle with a trail of yellow fire coming out of the gun barrel.
Description
A charcoal, pastel and watercolor drawing on beige textured paper. Depicted is an American soldier in oliver drab uniform firing his M1903 Springfield rifle with a trail of yellow fire coming out of the gun barrel. To the left of the soldier is the body of another American soldier lying face down on the street, presumably dead. Surrounding the soldiers are piles of debris from destroyed buildings. Part of a wall has collapsed behind the firing soldier, and a pile of red, white, and blue cloth can be seen among the rubble. Signed by the artist at bottom right, "Harvey Dunn, AEF"
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
artist
Dunn, Harvey Thomas
ID Number
AF.25706A
accession number
64592
catalog number
25706A

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