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 bon soldat

Le bon soldat

Brown University

Colored lithograph by Julien after Bellangé, printed by Lemercier, Benard et Cie.; veteran in uniform playing with small child at table next to house. Colored lithograph by Julien after Bellangé, printed by Lemercier, Benard et Cie.; veteran in uniform playing with small child at table next to house. Upright; margins intact; clean; in blue cloth portfolio, red leather label stamped gold "H. Bellange. Miscellaneous lithographs, c.1828-1832." New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952.

Le Blanc: Lieutenant-Colonel du Génie

Lithographic proof by and after Raffet, dated Rome 1849, printed by Bry; full-length portrait in uniform, holding map or chart. Lithographic proof by and after Raffet, dated Rome 1849, printed by Bry; full-length portrait in uniform, holding map or chart. In blue cloth portfolio, red cloth label stamped black "Raffet - Portraits et Uniformes". Paris, Robert Prouté, 1976.

Le Bivouac Russe ou La Provision de Jour et de Nuit

One of collection of several hand-colored engraved humorous plates; 8 Russian soldiers around campfire with pot and roasting meat, woman in background. One of collection of several hand-colored engraved humorous plates; 8 Russian soldiers around campfire with pot and roasting meat, woman in background. Small oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; stains. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

Le bivouac des Cosaques

Le bivouac des Cosaques

Brown University

Hand-colored engraving caricature by and after N. F(inart); group of Cossacks camped in field, engaged in various occupations, including one at left mending boots. Hand-colored engraving caricature by and after N. F(inart); group of Cossacks camped in field, engaged in various occupations, including one at left mending boots. Oblong medium folio; margins trimmed; slightly soiled. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1958.

Le Bétail à l'abreuvoir

One of a collection of 21 mounted small engraved plates by and after Duplessis-Bertaux of military and other scenes. Cows walking across field while man plays horn. River and bridge in distance, fortified building on right. Plate No. 3. One of a collection of 21 mounted small engraved plates by and after Duplessis-Bertaux of military and other scenes. Cows walking across field while man plays horn. River and bridge in distance, fortified building on right. Plate No. 3. Oblong; tan paper; yellowed; bound in maroon cloth, maroon leather label stamped gold. Paris, Grangié sale, 1966.

Le Baron de Schindel, Lieut: de Puebla

One of a collection of 16 unsigned ink or pencil military portraits of officers attributed to Schell, including 1 of Lord Acton, Lord High Admiral of the Two Sicilies. This one numbered B 37; each accompanied by 1 page of typewritten biographical information by Hans von Bourcy, Vienna. One of a collection of 16 unsigned ink or pencil military portraits of officers attributed to Schell, including 1 of Lord Acton, Lord High Admiral of the Two Sicilies. This one numbered B 37; each accompanied by 1 page of typewritten biographical information by Hans von Bourcy, Vienna. Unbound; in white paper wrapper lettered black; slightly soiled and yellowed; in red cloth case, white leather label stamped gold. Paris, Delacre sale, 1962.

Le Baiser Forcé

Le Baiser Forcé

Brown University

One of series of hand-colored engraved humorous plates; Russian soldier embracing woman, who resists him; another woman chasing a soldier in background One of series of hand-colored engraved humorous plates; Russian soldier embracing woman, who resists him; another woman chasing a soldier in background Small upright folio, matted; margins; creased. Paris, Grangié sale, 1967.

Le baiser de Judas, ou La bonne foi anglaise

Hand-colored engraved caricature. 'A French print. British officers set fire to buildings at Washington, while two of them at the same time embrace black slaves. One, probably General Ross, puts his right arm round the shoulders of a slave, who embraces him gratefully; in his right hand is a paper: 'Liberté des Nègres', to which he turns a sinister profile; in his left hand he holds out at arm's length a firebrand against a portico on the extreme right, inscribed 'Wasington'. Behind him crouches a second officer holding a firebrand against a pile of agricultural implements, rake, spade, &c. He also burns a paper: 'Droit des Gens'. Both trample on a 'Traité de Paix'. A third officer (left), with a cunning leer, embraces a slave, holding in his left hand a paper inscribed 'Paix et Amitié' and a dagger. The slave clasps his hands and gazes affectionately at his false friend. In the background are buildings with flames issuing from the windows, one is inscribed 'Hôpital'; a a slave cries for help from an upper window. Next this is a church; a fourth officer mounts the steps, firebrand in hand, while a slave runs off, terrified. In the background is the sea with a vessel. A palm and cactus complete the design. Autumn 1814'. - British Museum Hand-colored engraved caricature. 'A French print. British officers set fire to buildings at Washington, while two of them at the same time embrace black slaves. One, probably General Ross, puts his right arm round the shoulders of a slave, who embraces him gratefully; in his right hand is a paper: 'Liberté des Nègres', to which he turns a sinister profile; in his left hand he holds out at arm's length a firebrand against a portico on the extreme right, inscribed 'Wasington'. Behind him crouches a second officer holding a firebrand against a pile of agricultural implements, rake, spade, &c. He also burns a paper: 'Droit des Gens'. Both trample on a 'Traité de Paix'. A third officer (left), with a cunning leer, embraces a slave, holding in his left hand a paper inscribed 'Paix et Amitié' and a dagger. The slave clasps his hands and gazes affectionately at his false friend. In the background are buildings with flames issuing from the windows, one is inscribed 'Hôpital'; a a slave cries for help from an upper window. Next this is a church; a fourth officer mounts the steps, firebrand in hand, while a slave runs off, terrified. In the background is the sea with a vessel. A palm and cactus complete the design. Autumn 1814'. - British Museum Small oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; slightly soiled. N.Y., Old Print Shop, 1953.

Le Bain des Pieds International

Colored lithograph caricature by Ducourtioux & Huillard after Veber; row of comic figures of rulers sitting on parapet and dangling feet in the River Seine watching a little boat with Marianne inside. Represents Victor-Emmanuel II of Italy, Abdul-Hamid II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, President William McKinley of the United States, Franz-Joseph I of Austria, Queen Victoria, Léopold II, King of the Belgians, Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, Alphonse XIII of Spain, Oscar II of Sweden, Georges I of Greece, and Alexandre I of Serbia. Colored lithograph caricature by Ducourtioux & Huillard after Veber; row of comic figures of rulers sitting on parapet and dangling feet in the River Seine watching a little boat with Marianne inside. Represents Victor-Emmanuel II of Italy, Abdul-Hamid II, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, President William McKinley of the United States, Franz-Joseph I of Austria, Queen Victoria, Léopold II, King of the Belgians, Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany, Alphonse XIII of Spain, Oscar II of Sweden, Georges I of Greece, and Alexandre I of Serbia. Large oblong folio; margins intact; margins worn, upper left corner torn N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1956

Le 76ème Régiment de Ligne retrouvant ses drapeaux dans l'arsenal d'Inspruck

Copper-engraving by Madinier after Germain; French soldiers retrieving regimental flags from interior walls of Swiss arsenal. Copper-engraving by Madinier after Germain; French soldiers retrieving regimental flags from interior walls of Swiss arsenal. Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed close; soiled. New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

Le 5ème Régiment de Hussards commandé par le Colonel de Montaigu charge l'Infanterie Autrichienne à Solférino. 24 jui...

Original watercolor signed and dated by Armand-Dumaresq; battle scene, showing French hussars in foreground charging advancing Austrian infantry. Original watercolor signed and dated by Armand-Dumaresq; battle scene, showing French hussars in foreground charging advancing Austrian infantry. Oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. London, Maggs, 1958.

Le 3e Régiment d'Infanterie Suisee au service de France en 1812

1st in pair of unsigned original watercolors by Vernet each showing 2 uniform figures, front and rear views, standing near stone wall in countryside. For manuscript 'Bardin' now in Bibliotheque du Ministere des Armées de Terre, Paris. 1st in pair of unsigned original watercolors by Vernet each showing 2 uniform figures, front and rear views, standing near stone wall in countryside. For manuscript 'Bardin' now in Bibliotheque du Ministere des Armées de Terre, Paris. Upright folio, on mounts with borders; margins intact; soiled. Paris, Grangié sale, 1963.

LCI Green Island: 2nd Ship

A n LCI (Landing Ship Infantry) at the beach A n LCI (Landing Ship Infantry) at the beach Pencil note on verso reads: "An LCI on the way to land the New Zealanders on Green Island, in the Admiraltys, South Pacific. The ANZAC (Australia, New Zealand Army Corps)."

LCI (L)'s loaded with troops waiting at the docks - Weymouth

Troops on board an LCI at dock. Troops on board an LCI at dock. Bostick joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served as an artist and cartographer. He worked on amphibious map reproductions for the invasion of Sicily in 1943 and the D-Day invasion, 1944.

Lawrence's grand march

Lawrence's grand march

Brown University

Probably a portrait of Capt. S. Abbott Lawrence. Probably a portrait of Capt. S. Abbott Lawrence. W. Sharp del. Composed by Sprake and arranged for the pianoforte by T. Bricher and respectfully dedicated to Capt. S. Abbott Lawrence by the Brass Band. The price is printed to the right of the portrait. Plate 102.

Lauzun garde de l'Empereur Napoléon 1er

Signed crayon drawing by Vernet (or perhaps copy after Vernet); mounted uniform figure, outdoors. Signed crayon drawing by Vernet (or perhaps copy after Vernet); mounted uniform figure, outdoors. Upright medium folio, matted; no margins; clean. Presented, 1959, by C. Parkhurst, Oberlin College.

Laurenz Meyer, Wachmeister: vom Contingent der Stadt St. Gallen

20th of 26 hand-colored engraved plates, after Feyerabend; standing figure of officer, outdoors, in royal blue jacket with red trim, white trousers, holding golden walking stick, facing left; smaller soldier figure in right background, mountains in distance. 20th of 26 hand-colored engraved plates, after Feyerabend; standing figure of officer, outdoors, in royal blue jacket with red trim, white trousers, holding golden walking stick, facing left; smaller soldier figure in right background, mountains in distance. Folio, unbound; in red cloth case, red morocco back stamped gold "Feyerabend - die Eidgenössen Truppen - Basel 1792". Zürich, August Laube, 1960.

Launch of the Howe, of 120 guns, at Chatham

Wood-engraving; view of launching of warship, numerous spectators in small boats in foreground including bands, women, etc. Wood-engraving; view of launching of warship, numerous spectators in small boats in foreground including bands, women, etc. Oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; yellowed. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

Last train to Doomben

Last train to Doomben

Brown University

1 lithograph printed from the original drawing in 1985; Sailors, soldiers and civilians on tram, some jumping on. Note on verso reads: 'Doomben was the central staging area for the allied troops located outside of Brisbane, Australia. The only way to get into town was by tram and the last tram left Brisbane at 11 o'clock'. 1 lithograph printed from the original drawing in 1985; Sailors, soldiers and civilians on tram, some jumping on. Note on verso reads: 'Doomben was the central staging area for the allied troops located outside of Brisbane, Australia. The only way to get into town was by tram and the last tram left Brisbane at 11 o'clock'. Large oblong folio. Gift of the Renee A. Simon Revocable Trust, 2022 Prints, Drawings and Watercolors from the Anne S.K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library Digital object made available by: Brown University Library, John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts, Box A, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, U.S.A., (http://library.brown.edu/)

Last letter?

Last letter?

Brown University

Original pen and ink sketch of a soldier with pencil and paper, probably writing a letter home before D-Day, seated at a desk, with a cigarette in an ashtray next to him. Original pen and ink sketch of a soldier with pencil and paper, probably writing a letter home before D-Day, seated at a desk, with a cigarette in an ashtray next to him. Title from typed label affixed to verso. Reeks joined the USMC in 1941 and saw action on Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville and Saipan. He was the only official combat artist to land on Iwo Jima with the invasion force and spent thirty days on the island sketching the campaign.

Lassaut chasseur au 12 Regent. 4me Escadron au Mans

Original unsigned wawtercolor drawing (crude); mounted soldier (presumably portrait) riding towards left. Original unsigned wawtercolor drawing (crude); mounted soldier (presumably portrait) riding towards left. Square; margins; stained. Paris, Grangé sale, 1966.

Làslótartó, 1825

Làslótartó, 1825

Brown University

6th in suite of 9 hand-colored drypoint(?) drawings, signed and dated by Greter, showing hussar uniforms; mounted hussar in teal jacket, scarlet trousers, gold trim, carrying flag, riding toward left. 6th in suite of 9 hand-colored drypoint(?) drawings, signed and dated by Greter, showing hussar uniforms; mounted hussar in teal jacket, scarlet trousers, gold trim, carrying flag, riding toward left. Unbound; in green cloth portfolio st. red on cover. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

LaSalle receiving keys at capitulation of Stettin

Original unsigned wash drawing (by Vernet); Lasalle receiving keys to city seen in left distance from bowing official, chasseurs à cheval drawn up in right background. Original unsigned wash drawing (by Vernet); Lasalle receiving keys to city seen in left distance from bowing official, chasseurs à cheval drawn up in right background. Escutcheon-shaped oblong, matted; no margins; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1954. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

Laroscher Banderium

Laroscher Banderium

Brown University

8th of bound manuscript title-page and 25 hand-colored engraved plates of mounted hussar uniform figures (same figure or plate throughout); hussar in navy blue uniform, gold trim, facing left, on horse with scarlet saddle blanket. 8th of bound manuscript title-page and 25 hand-colored engraved plates of mounted hussar uniform figures (same figure or plate throughout); hussar in navy blue uniform, gold trim, facing left, on horse with scarlet saddle blanket. Bound in blue leather tooled and stamped gold "Koronázási Banderiumok, 1790"; clean. N.Y., Apfel, 1962. title provided by cataloger

Large ship with small ships

One of a collection of 27 sketches by Stevenson, pg. 5. Upper pen and ink sketch of warship at anchor, with patrol boats circling. Lower sketch possibly of dock with a patrol boat - somewhat crude. One of a collection of 27 sketches by Stevenson, pg. 5. Upper pen and ink sketch of warship at anchor, with patrol boats circling. Lower sketch possibly of dock with a patrol boat - somewhat crude. 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.

Larache. (Etalon du Maroc.)

1st in pair of colored lithographs after Adam, printed by Godard; horse led by Moroccan in military costume. 1st in pair of colored lithographs after Adam, printed by Godard; horse led by Moroccan in military costume. Oblong folio, matted; margins intact; clean. Paris, Bihn, 1950.

Lapel insignia, sleeve insignia, epaulettes

1 of collection of 48 original unsigned watercolor drawings of uniform figures and insignia. A collection of insignia. 1 of collection of 48 original unsigned watercolor drawings of uniform figures and insignia. A collection of insignia. Small, unbound; clean; in blue cloth portfolio, red leather label st. gold "Misc. German Naval and Colonial Uniforms, c.1910". Berlin, Ordens-Sammlung, 1956.