Ernest Clifford Peixotto (1869 - 1940)

One of five children in a prominent merchant family of San Francisco, Peixotto (pronounced "pay-SHOW-toh") studied art at the School of Fine Arts in the Mark Hopkins Institute in his hometown before repairing to France in 1888 for three more years of study. France remained his home until 1914, except for a two-year stint in New York working as a magazine illustrator. During his years in Europe he wrote and illustrated several travel books, but primarily painted the French countryside and its inhabitants.

Peixotto left France after war broke out, but returned as an official war artist in the spring of 1918. To a considerable degree, he concentrated on depicting French landscapes ravaged by war. After the Armistice he was head of the AEF’s Art Training Center in Paris, which offered educational opportunities for American soldiers remaining in Europe during the postwar occupation of Germany.

Peixotto returned to the United States in 1923 as director of the mural department at the Beaux Arts Institute of Design in New York. He focused on murals for the remainder of his career.

Ernest Clifford Peixotto

Charcoal and ink wash on white board. The ruined village of Varennes, France is visible on the far side of a canal bordered by a wall. The buildings are shell-torn and debris spills out in to the road running beside the river.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash on white board. The ruined village of Varennes, France is visible on the far side of a canal bordered by a wall. The buildings are shell-torn and debris spills out in to the road running beside the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25860
catalog number
25860
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. Troops and army trucks pass over a small bridge. A sign posted on the bridge reads "Langsam Fahren" or "Drive Slowly". A large building sits atop a hill in the background of the scene.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on paper. Troops and army trucks pass over a small bridge. A sign posted on the bridge reads "Langsam Fahren" or "Drive Slowly". A large building sits atop a hill in the background of the scene. Buildings line the road on the right side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25823
catalog number
25823
accession number
64592
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. In the foreground, a damaged bridge extends halfway across a river. Soldiers in the river are repairing the bridge. In the background, buildings line the far bank of the river.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. In the foreground, a damaged bridge extends halfway across a river. Soldiers in the river are repairing the bridge. In the background, buildings line the far bank of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-07
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25876
catalog number
25876
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white card stock. The center of the village of Varennes is destroyed. A soldier on a motorcycle and several vehicles pass along the main raid through the village.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white card stock. The center of the village of Varennes is destroyed. A soldier on a motorcycle and several vehicles pass along the main raid through the village.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25845
catalog number
25845
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. American army trucks and troops on a street leading through a village. Buildings on either side of street. The sketch is affixed to a larger piece of heavy cardboard.
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. American army trucks and troops on a street leading through a village. Buildings on either side of street. The sketch is affixed to a larger piece of heavy cardboard. A label under the sketch, on the larger cardboard mount, reads: "AMERICAN TRUCKS IN A SIDE STREET/MONTABAUR/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2965."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25807
catalog number
25807
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a street scene, with people milling about and buildings on either side of the street.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The sketch is a street scene, with people milling about and buildings on either side of the street.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25886
catalog number
25886
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper of a road leading through shell-torn countryside. Denuded trees on either side of road. There are several forms lying on the road in the foreground--possibly soldiers or horses. Stark and lifeless.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper of a road leading through shell-torn countryside. Denuded trees on either side of road. There are several forms lying on the road in the foreground--possibly soldiers or horses. Stark and lifeless.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25849
catalog number
25849
accession number
64592
Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.Currently not on view
Description
Black and white sketch. A soldier stands at the top of a set of stairs in a shell-torn building. The sketch is done on heavy white card; this is affixed to a larger piece of white cardboard.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
maker
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25802
catalog number
25802
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background.
Description
Ink wash sketch on white card stock. The drawing depicts a street corner at a crossroads in Buzancy, France. Buildings line the street in front of a tall church steeple in the background. The street is lined with business signs; an English one reads: "American Postal [illegible] Station." The other signs are in different languages.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25874
catalog number
25874
accession number
64592
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Interior scene. American soldiers billeted in the a room of an old Benedictine Monastery in the Toul Sector. Soldiers engaged in a game of cards. The sketch is matted on heavy white card stock.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25803
catalog number
25803
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on blue-gray paper. Women are making nets and camouflage material in a large tent-like structure in Dijon, France. The structure appears to be fortified with sand bags at one end. There is a label attached to the bottom center of the sketch that reads: "MAKING NETS AND CAMOUFLAGE MATERIAL/Central Camouflage Depot at Dijon/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/3004."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25846
catalog number
25846
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on off-white paper. The work depicts the town of Boppard, Germany from across the Rhine river. Two steamships are shown on the river. A church is visible on the river bank in the left of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25811
catalog number
25811
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a lock on the Rhone Canal in German Alsace. A German village is visible on the left. A Chauchat gun emplacement manned by two allied soldiers is on the right.Currently not on view
Description
Ink wash sketch on white paper. The work depicts a lock on the Rhone Canal in German Alsace. A German village is visible on the left. A Chauchat gun emplacement manned by two allied soldiers is on the right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25795
catalog number
25795
accession number
64592
Ink wash and charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts the Château de Sedan, a castle in Sedan, France, while it was used as a German military hospital during World War I.
Description
Ink wash and charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts the Château de Sedan, a castle in Sedan, France, while it was used as a German military hospital during World War I. The foreground of the drawing is dominated by a large cross in a circle which appears to have been cut in to the grass on the ground. The castle is shown behind the cross, with a flag, likely a hospital flag, flying on one of its peaked roofs.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-11
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25868
catalog number
25868
accession number
64592
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a ruined church spire atop a hill in Flirey, France. Troops and army trucks are in the road near the remains of a communicating trench in the foreground.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The work depicts a ruined church spire atop a hill in Flirey, France. Troops and army trucks are in the road near the remains of a communicating trench in the foreground.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25827
catalog number
25827
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch depicts an American soldier seen through the supports of a trench.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal and ink wash sketch on white paper. The sketch depicts an American soldier seen through the supports of a trench.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-10
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25851
catalog number
25851
accession number
64592
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing is a view of the River Marne near Jaulgonne, France during World War I. Men are working on a hydraulic mill in the foreground of the work.
Description
Pencil and ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing is a view of the River Marne near Jaulgonne, France during World War I. Men are working on a hydraulic mill in the foreground of the work. Several buildings with shell damage are shown in the background on the banks of the river.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-08-01
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25881
catalog number
25881
accession number
64592
Charcoal and ink wash drawing on white paper. The sketch is a view of a village on the Alzette River in Luxembourg during World War I. A church spire frames the right foreground of the drawing.
Description
Charcoal and ink wash drawing on white paper. The sketch is a view of a village on the Alzette River in Luxembourg during World War I. A church spire frames the right foreground of the drawing. There are two bridges spanning the river: a small one in the bottom foreground and a large one in the distance. A steep bluff abuts the town on the left, and hills are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25895
catalog number
25895
accession number
64592
Mixed media sketch on paper. In the sketch, a column of troops advances down a road that runs from the left background to the right foreground. The landscape behind the troops shows the effects of the war.
Description
Mixed media sketch on paper. In the sketch, a column of troops advances down a road that runs from the left background to the right foreground. The landscape behind the troops shows the effects of the war. A piece of equipment appears to be stuck on the side of the road on the left side of the sketch.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-09-26
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25892
catalog number
25892
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on paper. The drawing shows three ruined structures at a crossroads in the town of Apremont, France. Debris fills the road.Currently not on view
Description
Charcoal sketch on paper. The drawing shows three ruined structures at a crossroads in the town of Apremont, France. Debris fills the road.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25873
catalog number
25873
accession number
64592
Pencil sketch on paper. This landscape depicts a shell-torn area with damaged buildings and a large shell hole in the foreground. The crater is partially filled with water. Two soldiers stand on the far edge of the crater, looking down at the water.Currently not on view
Description
Pencil sketch on paper. This landscape depicts a shell-torn area with damaged buildings and a large shell hole in the foreground. The crater is partially filled with water. Two soldiers stand on the far edge of the crater, looking down at the water.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25835
catalog number
25835
accession number
64592
Charcoal sketch on light green paper. The sketch shows a German outpost at Montfaucon, France during World War I. The outpost consists of a large trench with walls reinforced by wooden posts.
Description
Charcoal sketch on light green paper. The sketch shows a German outpost at Montfaucon, France during World War I. The outpost consists of a large trench with walls reinforced by wooden posts. The upper left corner of an entryway, perhaps to an underground shelter, is just visible in the trench. Glued to the card underneath the sketch is a label that reads "GERMAN OUTPOST, MONFAUCON/Looking toward Hill 204/BY E. PEIXOTTO/TRANSFERRED FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT/2990."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1918
associated date
1917-1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25832
catalog number
25832
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on paper. Interior scene of a building with exposed rafters; barrels grouped and stacked in various places. Women working on the left. A soldier stands among some barrels on the right.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. Interior scene of a building with exposed rafters; barrels grouped and stacked in various places. Women working on the left. A soldier stands among some barrels on the right. The catalog card reads "Sketch showing the paint shop in the central American camouflage depot at Dijon."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25883
catalog number
25883
accession number
64592
Ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing depicts a street in the shadow of the buildings on the left side of the street. Two American soldiers are in the drawing: one in the far left foreground, and one walking in the center of the street. Women in the street behind the soldier.
Description
Ink wash sketch on paper. The drawing depicts a street in the shadow of the buildings on the left side of the street. Two American soldiers are in the drawing: one in the far left foreground, and one walking in the center of the street. Women in the street behind the soldier. A flag flies from one of the buildings in the background; it appears to be a French flag. The catalog card reads: "Town in German Alsace now in the American Zone and patrolled by American Military police. Massevaux in the Doller Valley."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918-05
associated person
War Department
artist
Peixotto, Ernest Clifford
ID Number
AF.25890
catalog number
25890
accession number
64592

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