Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection

This vast digital collection of military artwork from the 16th through 20th centuries, vividly documents all aspects of military and naval history, with emphasis on the history and illustration of world military and naval uniforms from the 17th century to the present. In addition to the material on military and naval dress, the collection contains thousands of battle and campaign scenes, portraits, caricatures, wartime posters, original photographs, material pertaining to military decorations and insignia, heraldic ornaments, armor, weaponry, equitation, flags, knightly orders, court and ceremonial dress, architecture, and the general history of costume.
This collection is part of Brown University Library, hosted by Brown University.

Items in this collection

Le Mai d'Amour, dedié à la Garde Nationale: Ronde Parisienne, pour l'anniversaire de la rentrée de S.M. Louis XVIII, ...

Hand-colored engraving; soldiers, women and civilians in round-dance about tub with tall plant carrying miniature portraits of Royal Family; verses of song printed at bottom. Hand-colored engraving; soldiers, women and civilians in round-dance about tub with tall plant carrying miniature portraits of Royal Family; verses of song printed at bottom. Oblong medium folio, matted; margins trimmed; soiled. Banner(s): Sage dans le conseil, intrépide au combat. Jeune encor des Condés il se montro l'émule. Au Lys elle promet. d'illustres rejettons. Label(s): La piété d'Antigone est sa moindre vertu. Il revint avec les beaux jours. Sa bonté, sa franchise, captivent tous les coeurs. Song: Air: Gai gai mon Officier. Caption: A Paris chez Charon, rue St. Jean de Beauvais, No. 26. Caption: et chez Bance ainé, Md. d'Estampes, rue St. Denis, No. 214.

Le lit de camp. "Allons, debout, camarade!"

Engraving (from book or almanac?); young soldier or aide awakening sleeping lancer in barracks, headgear and equipment on shelf or hanging above; perhaps a representation of the Duc de Bordeaux. Engraving (from book or almanac?); young soldier or aide awakening sleeping lancer in barracks, headgear and equipment on shelf or hanging above; perhaps a representation of the Duc de Bordeaux. Upright, matted; margins trimmed; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1959.

Le Lieutenant General Comte de Bourmont

1st in set of 22 original watercolors signed by Toussaint; full-length portrait in uniform, holding hat, standing by Mediterranean shore. 1st in set of 22 original watercolors signed by Toussaint; full-length portrait in uniform, holding hat, standing by Mediterranean shore. Folio, unbound; clean; in beige cloth case, brown leather label stamped gold. Paris, Grangié sale, 1967.

Le leçon d'equitation. Ou l'amante distraite

Colored aquatint caricature by Alix after Coure; kilted Highland soldier mounting horse under supervision of riding instructor, seated lovers and child on ground nearby peeking under kilt, outdoor background. Colored aquatint caricature by Alix after Coure; kilted Highland soldier mounting horse under supervision of riding instructor, seated lovers and child on ground nearby peeking under kilt, outdoor background. Oblong medium folio, matted; plate mark, margins intact; slightly worn, repaired tear at upper right. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1952.

Le laboureur nourrit le soldat; le soldat défend le laboureur

Lithograph by and after Charlet, printed by Villain; infantryman talking with farmer standing beside his plow and his three young daughters outside farmhouse. Lithograph by and after Charlet, printed by Villain; infantryman talking with farmer standing beside his plow and his three young daughters outside farmhouse. Oblong folio; margins intact; clean. Paris, Robert Prouté, 1975.

Le jour vient de gauche

Le jour vient de gauche

Brown University

Pencil drawing signed 'Yvon' and inscribed in pencil; head and shoulders of a soldier wearing kepi. Pencil drawing signed 'Yvon' and inscribed in pencil; head and shoulders of a soldier wearing kepi. Bomarzo, Italy, Lucy Elena Vivante, 2013

Le jour de barbe

Le jour de barbe

Brown University

Hand-colored engraving (by Levanchez, August 19, 1815). 'One of Post-Waterloo French prints. Napoleon sits in profile to the right facing an elaborate wash-stand in the form of a secretaire (of Empire shape), before a mirror reflecting his gloomy countenance. He sharpens a razor (with a damaged blade) on a hone. Wellington stands behind him, placing his right hand on his shoulder, while he sponges his head; he says, punningly: "Il voulait nous faire la queue mais nous lui lavons la tète." (He wanted to trick us, but we give him a good head-washing, i.e. scolding.) Wellington wears uniform, with cocked hat, breeches and boots in place of the trousers common in French caricature of this date. Napoleon wears uniform coat with a ribbon across the shoulder, with breeches, silk stockings, and buckled shoes, in place of the usual jack-boots (suggesting that the issue has shifted from the field to diplomacy or perhaps representing Napoleon's dress (apart from the ribbon) in the 'Bellerophon'). On the lowered flap of the wash-stand are a soap-ball in a bowl, a sheath for the hone, and a brush. The right side of the wash-stand, which is surmounted by two imperial eagles, is open, with recess and shelves for jug, basin, and tumblers of ornate pattern. Behind Wellington is a shallow basin on a stand with a fringed cover. The room is pilastered' -- British Museum Hand-colored engraving (by Levanchez, August 19, 1815). 'One of Post-Waterloo French prints. Napoleon sits in profile to the right facing an elaborate wash-stand in the form of a secretaire (of Empire shape), before a mirror reflecting his gloomy countenance. He sharpens a razor (with a damaged blade) on a hone. Wellington stands behind him, placing his right hand on his shoulder, while he sponges his head; he says, punningly: "Il voulait nous faire la queue mais nous lui lavons la tète." (He wanted to trick us, but we give him a good head-washing, i.e. scolding.) Wellington wears uniform, with cocked hat, breeches and boots in place of the trousers common in French caricature of this date. Napoleon wears uniform coat with a ribbon across the shoulder, with breeches, silk stockings, and buckled shoes, in place of the usual jack-boots (suggesting that the issue has shifted from the field to diplomacy or perhaps representing Napoleon's dress (apart from the ribbon) in the 'Bellerophon'). On the lowered flap of the wash-stand are a soap-ball in a bowl, a sheath for the hone, and a brush. The right side of the wash-stand, which is surmounted by two imperial eagles, is open, with recess and shelves for jug, basin, and tumblers of ornate pattern. Behind Wellington is a shallow basin on a stand with a fringed cover. The room is pilastered' -- British Museum

Le jeune ecossais

Le jeune ecossais

Brown University

Hand-colored lithograph; single figure in Highland costume pointing to a map of France on a rock, mountain landscape. Hand-colored lithograph; single figure in Highland costume pointing to a map of France on a rock, mountain landscape.

Le jeu des quatre coins, ou, les cinq freres

Napoleon (center), his three brothers, Joseph, Louis and Jérôme, and their brother-in-law Joachim Murat play a children's game called "four corners" over the map of Europe. From his position in the center of the map --the countries France and Austria--Napoleon directs his brothers to exchange places. As the catalog "Napoleon Im Spiegel der Karikatur" suggests, this image refers to the continual re-organization of Europe under the rule of the Bonapartes, especially after 1806. The John Hay library owns two impressions of this plate. While the state appears to be the same, the two vary in coloring. N.b. nap236 is colored consistently with the version reproduced as no. 159 in "Napoleon im Spiegel." The dimensions given are for nap325. Nap326 measures 30 cm x 37 cm. Napoleon (center), his three brothers, Joseph, Louis and Jérôme, and their brother-in-law Joachim Murat play a children's game called "four corners" over the map of Europe. From his position in the center of the map --the countries France and Austria--Napoleon directs his brothers to exchange places. As the catalog "Napoleon Im Spiegel der Karikatur" suggests, this image refers to the continual re-organization of Europe under the rule of the Bonapartes, especially after 1806. The John Hay library owns two impressions of this plate. While the state appears to be the same, the two vary in coloring. N.b. nap236 is colored consistently with the version reproduced as no. 159 in "Napoleon im Spiegel." The dimensions given are for nap325. Nap326 measures 30 cm x 37 cm.

Le Jeu des Héros de l'Empire Français

Colored engraved game-sheet; oval design with central illustration of sapper and hussar rolling dice in tent, surrounded by 10 illustrations of military trophies, etc. Colored engraved game-sheet; oval design with central illustration of sapper and hussar rolling dice in tent, surrounded by 10 illustrations of military trophies, etc. Upright folio, matted large folio; margins; yellowed. Paris, Bihn, 1952.

Le jeu des bons enfants

Le jeu des bons enfants

Brown University

Hand-colored engraved game-sheet; headpiece of soldiers sitting near tent, 26 colored illustrations of non-military subjects in circular arrangement or as tailpieces. Hand-colored engraved game-sheet; headpiece of soldiers sitting near tent, 26 colored illustrations of non-military subjects in circular arrangement or as tailpieces. Large upright folio, matted; margins; yellowed.

Le jeu de la guerre

Le jeu de la guerre

Brown University

Engraved military game sheet by Pierre le Pautre after de la Boissiere with 53 small illustrations of military scenes, including 1 after Antoine Dieu. Engraved military game sheet by Pierre le Pautre after de la Boissiere with 53 small illustrations of military scenes, including 1 after Antoine Dieu. Large oblong folio, matted giant folio; plate mark, margins intact; slightly soiled. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1954.

Le Jeu de la Guerre

Le Jeu de la Guerre

Brown University

Hand-colored engraved game sheet, with central round illustration of chasseur à cheval in camp, 11 surrounding vignettes of cannon, headgear, trophies, banners, cartouche and crown at top. Hand-colored engraved game sheet, with central round illustration of chasseur à cheval in camp, 11 surrounding vignettes of cannon, headgear, trophies, banners, cartouche and crown at top. Large upright folio; margins intact; foxing. Paris, Robert Prouté, 1974.

Le Janissaire polonois

Le Janissaire polonois

Brown University

First of 3 aquatint plates of figures in military costume by and after Le Prince; colored; signed and dated. First of 3 aquatint plates of figures in military costume by and after Le Prince; colored; signed and dated. Upright; matted small folio; plates marks, margins intact; clean New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

Le Hussard fourrageur

Le Hussard fourrageur

Brown University

Lithograph by C. Motte after Grenier; hussar carrying load of straw or hay, holding peasant girl under chin, watched by man. Lithograph by C. Motte after Grenier; hussar carrying load of straw or hay, holding peasant girl under chin, watched by man. In blue cloth portfolio, red leather label stamped gold: "French Caricatures ca. 1830-48."

Le Héraut d'Armes de Murcie: Composition et dessin de Meissonier

Wood engraving by Ch. Baude after Meissonier, dated 1879 by artist; mounted herald with banner, blowing trumpet. Wood engraving by Ch. Baude after Meissonier, dated 1879 by artist; mounted herald with banner, blowing trumpet. Upright folio, matted; margins intact; slightly soiled, repaired tears. Leichtenstein-Hauslab Collection, 1951.

Le Havre, France, Jan. 1945

Original ink sketch signed and dated by Stevenson; 3 freighters along shore, 2 smaller boats in foreground, sun shining through clouds, gulls in background. Original ink sketch signed and dated by Stevenson; 3 freighters along shore, 2 smaller boats in foreground, sun shining through clouds, gulls in background. Stevenson enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in July 1941. He was one of the original soldier-artists at Fort Belvoir, VA. before accepting a position as a war artist in May 1943. In 1944 he was in southern England covering the preparations for the Normandy invasion and later depicted war damage in France and Germany. Gift of the artist 1994.

Le Havre - Red Cross, Feb. '46

Original ink drawing, signed and dated by artist; close-up view of 3 soldiers playing cards. Original ink drawing, signed and dated by artist; close-up view of 3 soldiers playing cards. Oblong folio; no margins; clean.

Le Havre

Le Havre

Brown University

Original ink sketch on green notebook paper, signed by artist; soldier in long coat and cap, viewed from behind. Original ink sketch on green notebook paper, signed by artist; soldier in long coat and cap, viewed from behind. Upright; no margins; clean. Gift of the artist

Le guide

Le guide

Brown University

9th in collection of 4 colored and 6 uncolored lithographic plates after Raffet, printed by Gihaut Frères; Napoleon and 2 infantrymen with guide near lake or riverbank, more soldiers approaching in right background. 9th in collection of 4 colored and 6 uncolored lithographic plates after Raffet, printed by Gihaut Frères; Napoleon and 2 infantrymen with guide near lake or riverbank, more soldiers approaching in right background. Medium folio and small folio, unbound; in folio blue cloth portfolio, red leather labels stamped gold "Raffet. Miscellaneous lithographs, c. 1828-1832."

Le Guetteur (Champagne) Septembre 1918

French infantryman on look-out in trench under full moon, shell exploding in background, landscape with trench fascines, distant trees. French infantryman on look-out in trench under full moon, shell exploding in background, landscape with trench fascines, distant trees. Upright; no margins. Rochester, VT, Charles Woolley, 1998

Le grosse caisse de l'Europe

Hand-colored etching (by Lacroix). 'Napoleon as 'the big drum' is slung from the neck of a British soldier, who plies a drumstick in the right hand, a birch-rod in the left. He hangs face downwards, his arms clasped under his knees which are drawn up to his chest. His (large) head is flattened at the crown, his bared posterior is cylindrical, his contour being an irregular cylinder' -- British Museum Hand-colored etching (by Lacroix). 'Napoleon as 'the big drum' is slung from the neck of a British soldier, who plies a drumstick in the right hand, a birch-rod in the left. He hangs face downwards, his arms clasped under his knees which are drawn up to his chest. His (large) head is flattened at the crown, his bared posterior is cylindrical, his contour being an irregular cylinder' -- British Museum August 1815

Le grenadier Manchot, et l'enfant

3rd in collection of 3 signed lithographs after Charlet, this one dated 1818 by Lasteyrie; one-armed grenadier seated against stone wall or monument base, mournful young boy at his knee. 3rd in collection of 3 signed lithographs after Charlet, this one dated 1818 by Lasteyrie; one-armed grenadier seated against stone wall or monument base, mournful young boy at his knee. Large oblong folio; margins intact; clean. Paris, Robert Prouté, 1969.

Le Grand-Condé jettant son bâton dans les lignes de Fribourg!

Copper-engraving by Boutelou, after Dardel; 'Portrait of Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, afer the statue by Dardel; whole-length, looking to the right, about to throw his baton, his left hand clutching his sword; at his feet, a tree trunk and some cannon balls' -- British Museum Copper-engraving by Boutelou, after Dardel; 'Portrait of Louis II de Bourbon, Prince of Condé, afer the statue by Dardel; whole-length, looking to the right, about to throw his baton, his left hand clutching his sword; at his feet, a tree trunk and some cannon balls' -- British Museum Upright folio; margins severely trimmed; worn, repaired tears. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1959.

Le Grand Turc

Le Grand Turc

Brown University

One of a collection of 21 mounted small engraved plates by and after Duplessis-Bertaux of military and other scenes. Turk on horseback facing left, other figures in background, mosque in left distance. Plate No. 26. One of a collection of 21 mounted small engraved plates by and after Duplessis-Bertaux of military and other scenes. Turk on horseback facing left, other figures in background, mosque in left distance. Plate No. 26. Oblong; tan paper; yellowed; bound in maroon cloth, maroon leather label stamped gold. Paris, Grangie sale, 1966.

Le Grand teatre de la guerre en Italie

Hand-colored copper engraving; upper section showing Eugene mounted, at left, directing advance of troops in mountains, lower section composed of battle map and diagram and 3 vignettes of battles and military scenes. Top section of four-part map. Hand-colored copper engraving; upper section showing Eugene mounted, at left, directing advance of troops in mountains, lower section composed of battle map and diagram and 3 vignettes of battles and military scenes. Top section of four-part map. Oblong large folio, matted; margins trimmed. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

Le grand coup de ballet nationale: nos braves freres des armées ballayent comme des pygmés, les satellites des tyrans...

Hand-colored engraved caricature; soldiers of French revolutionary army watering Tree of Liberty, sweeping away miniature figures of enemy powers at left and right. Hand-colored engraved caricature; soldiers of French revolutionary army watering Tree of Liberty, sweeping away miniature figures of enemy powers at left and right. Oblong folio; plate mark, margins intact; creased, slightly stained. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1958.

Le Gouvernement Provisoire

Hand-colored engraved caricature; five officers of state at meeting around table, each with flags emerging from their heads. Hand-colored engraved caricature; five officers of state at meeting around table, each with flags emerging from their heads. Oblong medium folio; plate mark, margins intact; soiled, stained. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1954. Title: Le Gouvernment provisoire Caption: Il change à tout moment d'Esprit comme de mode, Il tourne au moindre vent, il tombe au moindre choc, Aujourd'hui dans un casque, et demain dans un froc. Boil Sat. VIII. [Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux] Letter (Correspondence): Les Emblemes Armoiries qui caractàrise le Regne de Napoléon sont supremés effacés et arreté du 4 avril 1814. Letter (Correspondence): Les actes de Napoléon regardés comme nullé et non aventis arreté du 8 avril, 1814. Letter (Correspondence): Le Gouvernment provisoire annonce à l'armée la déchéance de Napoléon, décreté par le Sénat, Séance du 2 avril, 1814. Letter (Correspondence): Lettre secréte au Sieur Maubreuil. Letter (Correspondence): La Cocarde blanche.

Le Gourbi 1917

Le Gourbi 1917

Brown University

Original watercolor by de Belay, signed and dated; French soldier in field dress sitting in rudimentary dwelling (gourbi), leaning on elbows. Original watercolor by de Belay, signed and dated; French soldier in field dress sitting in rudimentary dwelling (gourbi), leaning on elbows. Matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1953.