Harry Everett Townsend (1879 - 1941)

Townsend came from Illinois farm country, but early resolved not to follow in his father’s footsteps as farmer and merchant. He enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago, then studied with Howard Pyle, spending some time in France and Germany. Eventually settling in New York, he became a much-in-demand illustrator. In 1912 he took a job with a London magazine that allowed him to reside in France, an arrangement that came to an abrupt end in 1914.

Townsend came back to America, first to draw war posters, then to join the official artists and return to France in spring 1918. Much of his war work centered on new technologies like warplanes and tanks.

After the war he was accredited as an artist to the peace conference. He also taught at the Army’s art center until he departed in late May 1919 for home. Settling back in the United States, Townsend worked out of a studio he built in Norwalk, Connecticut, for the remainder of his life.

Search term: *:* Place: France Clear All

A Roadside Repair Station, Chateau Thierry

Charcoal sketch on white paper. Soldiers of an ammunition train have stopped for repairs at a roadside repair station located to the northwest of Château-Thierry. Depicted is a large motor supply truck which is being repaired by an American soldier in the foreground.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Soldiers of an ammunition train have stopped for repairs at a roadside repair station located to the northwest of Château-Thierry. Depicted is a large motor supply truck which is being repaired by an American soldier in the foreground. A group of American soldiers work to repair objects on a makeshift workbench at left. Motor parts and other supply boxes surround them on the ground. Two ambulances with the Red Cross emblems are visible in the background.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26099
catalog number
26099
accession number
64592

The Hurry Call, Night of May 30, 1918, in the Toul Sector

Charcoal on white paper of two Army ambulances responding to a "hurry call" or emergency summons on the night of May 30, 1918, in the Toul Sector of France. The ambulances (possibly Ford Model T's) have large medical crosses on the side.
Description
Charcoal on white paper of two Army ambulances responding to a "hurry call" or emergency summons on the night of May 30, 1918, in the Toul Sector of France. The ambulances (possibly Ford Model T's) have large medical crosses on the side. American soldiers in uniform march along the road to the right of the ambulances. On the left side of the road, wounded soldiers walk in the opposite direction of the ambulances.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
1918-05
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26125
catalog number
26125
accession number
64592

Refugees from Chateau Thierry Section

Charcoal sketch on white paper. Depicted are war refugees from Chateau Thierry, France, entering a town carrying their belongings while American soldiers exit the town as part of an artillery convoy.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper. Depicted are war refugees from Chateau Thierry, France, entering a town carrying their belongings while American soldiers exit the town as part of an artillery convoy. At left, a woman leads a horse and oxen pulling a carriage stocked with household items and animals. A second woman rides the horse. A few civilian men follow behind them. At right, American soldiers ride horses and carriages away from the town, followed by carts filled with supplies and a large field gun. Trees line the road to the right and houses line the road at left.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26118
catalog number
26118
accession number
64592

Double Escape

Oil painting on canvas shows an American balloon flying over a small village. Two airplanes, one American and one German, are engaged in combat around the balloon. The American plane has red, blue, and white roundels on its wings.
Description
Oil painting on canvas shows an American balloon flying over a small village. Two airplanes, one American and one German, are engaged in combat around the balloon. The American plane has red, blue, and white roundels on its wings. The German plane, with German insignia on the wings, has been shot and is plummeting to the ground. The plane is in pieces and smoke and flames rise into the air.
The slow-moving observation balloons were easy prey for enemy fighter planes and had to be protected by allied planes. If a balloon was hit in battle, the gas in the balloon would catch fire and the balloon pilot would be forced to jump out of the balloon with his parachute. The descending pilot would then have to avoid two dangers: being hit by the burning balloon as it fell to the ground, or being hit by enemy fire from the enemy airplane. Thus, by shooting down the German plane before it could hit the balloon, the American plane gave the balloon pilot a "double escape."
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26130
catalog number
26130
accession number
64592

A Forced Landing Near Neufchâteau

Charcoal on white paper. This sketch depicts an aviator and pilot standing on an overturned Breguet reconnaissance plane, probably a Breguet 14. The two men are reading a map. The plane's underside has camouflage and what appear to be French roundels on its wings.
Description
Charcoal on white paper. This sketch depicts an aviator and pilot standing on an overturned Breguet reconnaissance plane, probably a Breguet 14. The two men are reading a map. The plane's underside has camouflage and what appear to be French roundels on its wings. There is a line of trees in the background at left and a village in the background at right.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
associated date
1917 - 1918
associated person
War Department
Townsend, Harry
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26097
catalog number
26097
accession number
64592

The Alert Nieuports

Charcoal sketch on white paper of Nieuport 28 planes with the 147th Aero Squadron, First Pursuit Group, taking off for battle. In the foreground, a Nieuport is being pushed into position by three men in uniform: one at each wing and one at the tail.
Description
Charcoal sketch on white paper of Nieuport 28 planes with the 147th Aero Squadron, First Pursuit Group, taking off for battle. In the foreground, a Nieuport is being pushed into position by three men in uniform: one at each wing and one at the tail. The plane has American insignia on the wings and rudder and the number "11" is painted on the fuselage. The pilot is in the cockpit. In the background, two planes are just taking off and another plane is already in the air.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1918
artist
Townsend, Harry
ID Number
AF.26126
accession number
64592
catalog number
26126

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.