George Matthews Harding (1882 - 1959)

Born into an artistic family in Philadelphia, Harding was particularly influenced by the art career of his older sister, Charlotte. Following in her footsteps, he studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, then with the distinguished illustrator-teacher Howard Pyle. In 1903 he began a successful career as an illustrator-author, which included international travel.

After becoming a war artist, Harding was particularly intrigued by the new technologies of war. His war pictures are full of guns, airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, and tanks. He returned to American in February 1919 and before the end of the year published a lavish portfolio of his war art, The American Expeditionary Forces in Action.

In 1922, Harding became the head of the department of illustration at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, remaining at the school until his retirement in 1958. During World War II, at age 60, he was once again commissioned as an army captain and created war art in the South Pacific. He was the only AEF artist to serve in both wars.

George Matthews Harding

Search term: *:* Set Name: World War I Art Clear All

Exploded Boche Dump at Cierges

Charcoal, crayon, and pastel drawing on heavy textured laid paper. The work depicts a destroyed German army dump at Cierges, France during World War I.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and pastel drawing on heavy textured laid paper. The work depicts a destroyed German army dump at Cierges, France during World War I. In the center of the drawing is a large crater in the ground surrounded by vehicle parts, trees, ammunition shells, and other debris. Several deceased German soldiers are lying in the foreground. Damaged buildings are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25756
catalog number
25756
accession number
64592

Rounding up Boche Prisoners

Charcoal, crayon, gouache, and blue wash drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. The work depicts American soldiers marching German ("Boche") prisoners of war (unarmed, in green uniforms) through a street in a recaptured village on the Marne.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, gouache, and blue wash drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. The work depicts American soldiers marching German ("Boche") prisoners of war (unarmed, in green uniforms) through a street in a recaptured village on the Marne. A woman is sitting inside one of the badly damaged buildings lining the street. Deceased German soldiers are lying on the ground in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
1918-07-01
1918-07-01
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25747
catalog number
25747
accession number
64592

American-French Conference

Crayon and charcoal sketch on heavy cream wove paper. This is a crowded scene of American and French troops in a small, dark wine cellar. On the left, the Americans and French are gathered around a table; their faces are illuminated by a light on the table.
Description
Crayon and charcoal sketch on heavy cream wove paper. This is a crowded scene of American and French troops in a small, dark wine cellar. On the left, the Americans and French are gathered around a table; their faces are illuminated by a light on the table. On the right is a French soldier reclining; two soldiers are beside him, one of whom is wearing a sling around his right arm.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25729
catalog number
25729
accession number
64592

Dispatch Motor Cycle

Charcoal and crayon sketch on paper. The work depicts a dispatch carrier on a motor cycle near a fortified hill. The hill, with structures on the side (possibly dugouts) dominates the background of the work. On the left are several soldiers pushing a piece of heavy artillery.
Description
Charcoal and crayon sketch on paper. The work depicts a dispatch carrier on a motor cycle near a fortified hill. The hill, with structures on the side (possibly dugouts) dominates the background of the work. On the left are several soldiers pushing a piece of heavy artillery. A low building is visible behind the dispatch carrier.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25741
catalog number
25741
accession number
64592

Tanks Attacking Early September 26th Between Avocourt and Montfaucon

Charcoal and pastel drawing on heavy beige textured laid paper. The subject of the drawing is a tank attack during World War I. In the foreground is a tank, most likely a Renault FT; in front of the tank are barbed-wire entanglements.
Description
Charcoal and pastel drawing on heavy beige textured laid paper. The subject of the drawing is a tank attack during World War I. In the foreground is a tank, most likely a Renault FT; in front of the tank are barbed-wire entanglements. Three more tanks are visible in the background. A man walks along the road. Smoke rises on the horizon.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
referenced
1918-09-26
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25749
catalog number
25749
accession number
64592

Through a Shell Hole

Charcoal and crayon sketch on heavy textured cream wove paper. Several American soldiers eat out of tin cans, as seen through a shell-hole in a wall. A broken window shutter is in the foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and crayon sketch on heavy textured cream wove paper. Several American soldiers eat out of tin cans, as seen through a shell-hole in a wall. A broken window shutter is in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25750
catalog number
25750
accession number
64592

Cleaning Out Boche Machine Gun Nest

Crayon and charcoal on paper. The work depicts a tank overrunning a German machine gun emplacement. There are American soldiers behind the tank. In the foreground, two German soldiers, with multi-colored camouflaged helmets, man their machine gun.
Description
Crayon and charcoal on paper. The work depicts a tank overrunning a German machine gun emplacement. There are American soldiers behind the tank. In the foreground, two German soldiers, with multi-colored camouflaged helmets, man their machine gun. The German soldier on the right holds a rifle. A barbed-wire entanglement is visible on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-12
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25740
catalog number
25740
accession number
64592

Verdun Offensive

Charcoal and crayon drawing on textured cream wove paper. The paper is mounted on heavy brown cardboard. Troops on foot and mounted on horses in foreground. A line of heavy artillery and soldiers dominate the center of the drawing.
Description
Charcoal and crayon drawing on textured cream wove paper. The paper is mounted on heavy brown cardboard. Troops on foot and mounted on horses in foreground. A line of heavy artillery and soldiers dominate the center of the drawing. Smoke plumes trail out of the artillery guns; the background is misty with smoke.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25730
catalog number
25730
accession number
64592

American Artillery and Machine Guns

Color crayon and charcoal sketch on paper. A line of American soldiers and horses pulling artillery pass through a shell-torn town. The background is comprised of badly damaged buildings. In the foreground are parts of broken equipment and vehicles.Currently not on view
Description
Color crayon and charcoal sketch on paper. A line of American soldiers and horses pulling artillery pass through a shell-torn town. The background is comprised of badly damaged buildings. In the foreground are parts of broken equipment and vehicles.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
1918-07-24
associated date
1917-1918
previous owner
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25728
catalog number
25728
accession number
64592

American Wounded

Charcoal and pastel (or possibly color crayon) sketch on white paper. Three wounded American soldiers (in black and white) walking in front of a shell-torn church. The soldier to the left is carrying one end of a stretcher that is mostly out of the picture.
Description
Charcoal and pastel (or possibly color crayon) sketch on white paper. Three wounded American soldiers (in black and white) walking in front of a shell-torn church. The soldier to the left is carrying one end of a stretcher that is mostly out of the picture. To the right is a French soldier, with his back to the viewer, in the small church graveyard. Smoke rises from the ruins of the church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25735
catalog number
25735
accession number
64592

American Ration Train Headquarters

Charcoal, crayon, and pastel sketch on heavy cream wove paper. A large farm building, with a breezeway in the center, dominates the sketch. In the left foreground are two horses and a soldier, while on the right, an American soldier stands next to a wagon.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and pastel sketch on heavy cream wove paper. A large farm building, with a breezeway in the center, dominates the sketch. In the left foreground are two horses and a soldier, while on the right, an American soldier stands next to a wagon. A mounted French soldier can be seen through the building's breezeway.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-06-18
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25733
catalog number
25733
accession number
64592

American Artillery Relieved at Deumx After Days of Hard Fighting

Charcoal sketch on illustration board. The work depicts the exhausted members of an artillery unit moving away from the line at Deumx, France. A line of soldiers, horses, wagons, and artillery pieces are moving through a forest.
Description
Charcoal sketch on illustration board. The work depicts the exhausted members of an artillery unit moving away from the line at Deumx, France. A line of soldiers, horses, wagons, and artillery pieces are moving through a forest. Many of the soldiers, whether riding on horses, vehicles, or walking, are slouched and stooped.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
depicted
1918-07-19
associated person
War Department
artist
Morgan, Wallace
ID Number
AF.25758
catalog number
25758
accession number
64592

Behind Montmirail, American Division

Crayon, pastel, and charcoal on white paper. The work depicts a group of troops and wagons moving across a bridge near Montmirail, France.A large tree borders the road, where American and French soldiers ride horses or horse-drawn wagons.Currently not on view
Description
Crayon, pastel, and charcoal on white paper. The work depicts a group of troops and wagons moving across a bridge near Montmirail, France.
A large tree borders the road, where American and French soldiers ride horses or horse-drawn wagons.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25736
catalog number
25736
accession number
64592

Boche Snipers Hidden in Shell Potted Ruins

Charcoal and crayon sketch, with touches of graphite, on heavy cream wove paper. Two German soldiers peer out of the window of a shell-torn building. One soldier has a rifle pointed out of the window, through the slats of the shutters.
Description
Charcoal and crayon sketch, with touches of graphite, on heavy cream wove paper. Two German soldiers peer out of the window of a shell-torn building. One soldier has a rifle pointed out of the window, through the slats of the shutters. A sign stenciled on the wall below the window has been partially erased; it reads "NACH FIS..." and has an arrow, pointing right, beneath it.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25739
catalog number
25739
accession number
64592

Road to La Charmel

Charcoal, crayon, and ink wash drawing on cream wove card. In the foreground is a large destroyed machine gun. Deceased German soldiers lie beside the gun. On the horizon, American soldiers and horse-drawn artillery are on the march.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, and ink wash drawing on cream wove card. In the foreground is a large destroyed machine gun. Deceased German soldiers lie beside the gun. On the horizon, American soldiers and horse-drawn artillery are on the march. An observation balloon dominates the sky.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25746
catalog number
25746
accession number
64592

Major R. M. Smith, Fourth Infantry

Charcoal, sanguine, graphite, and crayon sketches on thick textured cream wove paper. The paper is oriented vertically and divided into three scenes - one on the bottom that occupies the width of the paper, and two, situated side by side, on top of the bottom one.
Description
Charcoal, sanguine, graphite, and crayon sketches on thick textured cream wove paper. The paper is oriented vertically and divided into three scenes - one on the bottom that occupies the width of the paper, and two, situated side by side, on top of the bottom one. The top left scene is a view of a shell-torn church and a soldier through an open doorway. The inscription at the top left of this scene reads "CHURCH AT NESLES." The top right sketch shows a stairway leading to the entry of a building. Soldiers are sitting on the stairway; a gate is at the right. The inscription at the top right of this sketch reads "4th Inf. 3 Div. TROOPS BILLETED p.t. HEURETE bise FARM July 1...[cut off]." The bottom sketch shows a man walking away from a shell torn building.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25743
catalog number
25743
accession number
64592

In Pursuit of the Enemy

Charcoal and crayon sketch on white paper. American troops in a shell-torn village. The soldier in center foreground has his bayonet fixed to his rifle. A deceased man and rifle lying on the ground at left.
Description
Charcoal and crayon sketch on white paper. American troops in a shell-torn village. The soldier in center foreground has his bayonet fixed to his rifle. A deceased man and rifle lying on the ground at left. Buildings, including a damaged church spire, line the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-24
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25734
catalog number
25734
accession number
64592

American Infantry Advancing with Tanks near Essey

Crayon and charcoal drawing on white paper. A tank looms on the horizon in this battlefield scene. Barbed-wire entanglements on right and left.
Description
Crayon and charcoal drawing on white paper. A tank looms on the horizon in this battlefield scene. Barbed-wire entanglements on right and left. A soldier lies on the ground in the center of the drawing, while two American soldiers advance, with rifles ready, in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-12
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25731
catalog number
25731
accession number
64592

Village of the Dead

Charcoal, crayon, pastel, and gouache sketch on heavy textured cream wove paper. American troops are mounted on a team of horses pulling a large artillery piece through a shell-torn village.
Description
Charcoal, crayon, pastel, and gouache sketch on heavy textured cream wove paper. American troops are mounted on a team of horses pulling a large artillery piece through a shell-torn village. In the left foreground, a cross with a helmet hung from it marks a grave.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25732
catalog number
25732
accession number
64592

Morning Mess

Mixed media on paper. The work depicts a morning mess for a group of American soldiers. Two soldiers are carrying rifles in the foreground. In the background, soldiers are gathered around a moveable stove. Some soldiers are eating or carrying food.Currently not on view
Description
Mixed media on paper. The work depicts a morning mess for a group of American soldiers. Two soldiers are carrying rifles in the foreground. In the background, soldiers are gathered around a moveable stove. Some soldiers are eating or carrying food.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25745
catalog number
25745
accession number
64592

American Troops Parading Down Avenue President Wilson

Ink wash sketch. American troops marching in a square in the city. A statue of George Washington is in the center of the sketch; Washington is mounted on a horse and has his sword raised in the air. Large buildings and trees in background.
Description
Ink wash sketch. American troops marching in a square in the city. A statue of George Washington is in the center of the sketch; Washington is mounted on a horse and has his sword raised in the air. Large buildings and trees in background. Sketch is on white card, which is mounted to a larger piece of heavy cardboard. Also affixed to the cardboard backing is a label that reads: "AMERICAN TROOPS PARADING DOWN/AVENUE PRESIDENT WILSON/Paris, July 4, 1918/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2964."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-04
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25806
catalog number
25806
accession number
64592

Boche Plane Falling in No Man's Land of Verdun Offensive

Charcoal, pastel, and crayon on heavy textured wove paper. The work depicts a camouflaged German airplane falling out of the sky. On the ground are two deceased German soldiers in a machine gun nest.
Description
Charcoal, pastel, and crayon on heavy textured wove paper. The work depicts a camouflaged German airplane falling out of the sky. On the ground are two deceased German soldiers in a machine gun nest. A tank and wire entanglements are outlined in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25738
catalog number
25738
accession number
64592

Vanquished by the Boche Plane

Charcoal and crayon drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. The work depicts two Allied aircraft burning and falling from the sky as two men descend in parachutes.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and crayon drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. The work depicts two Allied aircraft burning and falling from the sky as two men descend in parachutes.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-27
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25748
catalog number
25748
accession number
64592

Traffic to Mont St. Père

Graphite, charcoal, crayon, and white gouache drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. A group of German prisoners of war, French troops, and American troops carrying their rifles with bayonets fixed en route to Mont St. Père.
Description
Graphite, charcoal, crayon, and white gouache drawing on heavy textured cream wove paper. A group of German prisoners of war, French troops, and American troops carrying their rifles with bayonets fixed en route to Mont St. Père. A wagon, men on horses, and a truck occupy the middle ground of the drawing. Buildings are visible in the distant background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07-23
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Harding, George Matthews
ID Number
AF.25752
catalog number
25752
accession number
64592

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