The AEF artists were embedded with the troops to capture the full experience of those serving in Europe, not only what transpired on the battlefield. Beyond combat scenes and the ravages of war, their work also depicted mundane everyday chores, feeding the troops, personal time, and entertainment—subjects very different from traditional war art that focused on heroic figures and gallantry on the field of battle. These works contributed to a more complete and realistic view of the war experience.
Off Duty
Harvey Thomas Dunn
Oil and watercolor on paper, 1918
A Regiment Stops for Mess by J. André Smith, Watercolor, charcoal, and pencil on paper, June 1918
A Regiment Stops for Mess
J. André Smith
Watercolor, charcoal, and pencil on paper, June 1918
First Division Headquarters Kitchen, St. Mihiel Drive by William James Aylward, Charcoal and gouache on card, 1918
First Division Headquarters Kitchen, St. Mihiel Drive
William James Aylward
Charcoal and gouache on card, 1918
The Morning Washup, Neufmaison by Wallace Morgan | Charcoal on paper, 1918
The Morning Washup, Neufmaison
Wallace Morgan
Charcoal on paper, 1918
Barber Shop and First Aid Station of the Red Cross at Essey by Walter Jack Duncan, Pen and ink wash, and graphite on paper, July 17, 1918
Barber Shop and First Aid Station of the Red Cross at Essey
Walter Jack Duncan
Pen and ink wash, and graphite on paper, July 17, 1918
A Cell in the Monastery at Rangeval by J. André Smith | Watercolor and charcoal on paper, May 1918
A Cell in the Monastery at Rangeval
J. André Smith
Watercolor and charcoal on paper, May 1918
Camouflaged Barracks for Colored Troops, Airing the Bedding on Sunday by Ernest Clifford Peixotto, Pen and ink wash on paper, 1918
Camouflaged Barracks for Colored Troops, Airing the Bedding on Sunday
Ernest Clifford Peixotto
Pen and ink wash on paper, 1918
Band Concert at Neufchateau by J. André Smith, Watercolor and charcoal on paper, 1918
Band Concert at Neufchateau
J. André Smith
Watercolor and charcoal on paper, 1918
Returning Refugees Hattonchatel by William James Aylward | Charcoal and gouache on paper, 1918
Returning Refugees Hattonchatel
William James Aylward
Charcoal and gouache on paper, 1918
The AEF WWI war art collection currently is held by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, Division of Armed Forces History, from which the artworks in this exhibition are on loan.