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

L' Hospitalité.

L' Hospitalité.

Brown University

Lithograph by C. de Lasteyrie after Charlet; man and boy helping wounded soldier into house, other soldier passing in wagon. Lithograph by C. de Lasteyrie after Charlet; man and boy helping wounded soldier into house, other soldier passing in wagon. Oblong folio; margins trimmed on Hospitalité; foxed. South Lincoln, Mass., Maroni, 1962.

L' Homme Rouge Arrëte les Derniers Efforts du Tyran, et la Mort lui Montre le Seul Chemin Ouvert pour Sortir de son Exil

Hand-colored engraving. 'Napoleon rides a wooden horse on a desert island (St Helena). He is dressed in a harlequin costume, a hangman's noose around his neck and a snake around his waist. He is chained to a monkey (the Count de Las Cases) who writes his memoirs. The French flag and his emblem of the imperial eagle lie on the ground, while he holds a flag with bees, ironically symbolic of immortality and resurrection. He tries to fire a cannon but the Devil ("l'homme rouge") extinguishes the flame by urinating on it. In the sky appear the coats-of-arms of his enemies: Prussia, Britain, Austria, Spain and the Bourbon kings of France. Death appears in a boat on the sea as the only solution to his exile' -- British Museum Hand-colored engraving. 'Napoleon rides a wooden horse on a desert island (St Helena). He is dressed in a harlequin costume, a hangman's noose around his neck and a snake around his waist. He is chained to a monkey (the Count de Las Cases) who writes his memoirs. The French flag and his emblem of the imperial eagle lie on the ground, while he holds a flag with bees, ironically symbolic of immortality and resurrection. He tries to fire a cannon but the Devil ("l'homme rouge") extinguishes the flame by urinating on it. In the sky appear the coats-of-arms of his enemies: Prussia, Britain, Austria, Spain and the Bourbon kings of France. Death appears in a boat on the sea as the only solution to his exile' -- British Museum

L' heureuse circonstance de la nouvelle année offre aux tambours de votre compagnie la satisfaction bien sincere de v...

Line-lithographic broadside greeting-sheet with crude hand-colored illustration of drum-major and drummers of marines standing in gateway to Tuileries. Line-lithographic broadside greeting-sheet with crude hand-colored illustration of drum-major and drummers of marines standing in gateway to Tuileries. Upright; margins intact; creased. London, Norman Newton, 1960.

L' excercise à feu (and) Soldats faisant le cuisine

Colored engraving, numbered 23; soldiers at rifle practice above, soldiers tending cooking-fire in camp below. Colored engraving, numbered 23; soldiers at rifle practice above, soldiers tending cooking-fire in camp below. Small oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins trimmed close; worn. N. Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

L' Europe: En 1815, la paix conclue à Paris avec toutes les puissances de l'Europe, cette ville rensermit alors dans ...

Aquatint by Bégat after Baudin, crude in style; military and civilian men and women of numerous nations in group, outdoors, foliage and domes of Paris in background. Aquatint by Bégat after Baudin, crude in style; military and civilian men and women of numerous nations in group, outdoors, foliage and domes of Paris in background. Oblong folio, matted; plate mark, upper margin trimmed; clean. Paris, Bihn, 1952.

L' Europe--Mes amis bien le bonsoir! je perds mon temps è vous regarder faire vous n'en terminez ni l'un ni l'autre

One of a collection of 28 lithograph war and political cartoons printed by Destouches, chiefly from the series, "Actualités", in the French journal "le Charivari". By and after Cham (Amédée Charles Henri, Comte de Noé), numbered 67. Europe represented by a woman watching two men fight, one from the North, the other from the South One of a collection of 28 lithograph war and political cartoons printed by Destouches, chiefly from the series, "Actualités", in the French journal "le Charivari". By and after Cham (Amédée Charles Henri, Comte de Noé), numbered 67. Europe represented by a woman watching two men fight, one from the North, the other from the South Upright; margins trimmed close; clean. N.Y., Argosy, 1954.

L' Etat-Major de S.M. l'Empereur

One of a collection of hand-colored lithographic plates, accompanying larger collection of uncolored plates by Lukoin, Smirnov, Giller, Pashyennii, Konrad, Bir, Chevalier, Ulrich, Pyetrovskii and Baryshyev, after Piratski and Gubaryev; standing uniform group of Russian General Staff, saluted by mounted officer; identification key included. One of a collection of hand-colored lithographic plates, accompanying larger collection of uncolored plates by Lukoin, Smirnov, Giller, Pashyennii, Konrad, Bir, Chevalier, Ulrich, Pyetrovskii and Baryshyev, after Piratski and Gubaryev; standing uniform group of Russian General Staff, saluted by mounted officer; identification key included. Folio, unbound; in 3/4 black leather and green cloth portfolio stamped gold, red leather cover label stamped gold "Russian Uniforms"; portfolio worn. London, Francis Edwards, 1943.

L' espoir de la France. Pendant une de ses promenades au camp du Chalons Son Altesse le Prince Impérial accompagné de...

Colored lithograph by Anatole and Bocquin after Jules David; Prince Impérial, in uniform, at right with tutor, outdoors, receiving petition from zouave at left, elderly woman and child by two other zouaves nearby, soldier figures in background. Colored lithograph by Anatole and Bocquin after Jules David; Prince Impérial, in uniform, at right with tutor, outdoors, receiving petition from zouave at left, elderly woman and child by two other zouaves nearby, soldier figures in background. Upright folio, matted; margins. New York, Rockman Prints, 1950.

L' Escouade Humoristique

Etching signed in pencil by artist; semi-humorous group of 7 soldiers marching through countryside Etching signed in pencil by artist; semi-humorous group of 7 soldiers marching through countryside From set of etchings entitled 'Impressions de Guerre. Gravures Originales de A. Brouet 1914-1915'

L' equipment du soldat français à travers les ages

Double-page color plate after Auguste Goichon; 2 rows of uniform figures showing military costume and uniforms from period of early Gauls to 1940, including cantiniére. From 'Gazette Dunlop, May, 1940' Double-page color plate after Auguste Goichon; 2 rows of uniform figures showing military costume and uniforms from period of early Gauls to 1940, including cantiniére. From 'Gazette Dunlop, May, 1940' Oblong folio, matted; margins; slightly creased. Hamburg, Helmut Gerhard Schulz, 1953. Subtitle supplied by cataloger

L' Envie réciproque

L' Envie réciproque

Brown University

One of 30 hand-colored engraved humorous plates (published December 1815). 'The interior of a fashionable restaurant, which a hanging lamp shows to be Véry Frères (see No. 12367). A ragged old man on crutches leans through an open window to beg from a massive and gorged British officer, who faces him, seated at a small table. Their words are engraved below the design: "Je n'ai rien mangé depuis hier - God-dam! ce coquin il être bien heureux de avoir faim." The officer wears a short tunic with a large epaulet, projecting shirt-frill, and trousers; his right hand clasps his great paunch. On the table are a raised pie, dessert, bottles, and full glass. On the floor beside him are piled two plates, one with the half-eaten thigh of a bird and empty bottles, some broken. An incredibly bloated dog barks at the beggar. On a stool (left) are shako, with sword-belt and sabre. Behind the beggar is a colonnade. Behind the Briton a vestibule, from which a gentlemanly waiter takes a dish to a terrace with trees (right). Behind, in a glorified bar, surmounted by a pediment in which is a clock-face, stands an elegant woman, probably Mme Véry, see No. 12409; bottles and jars are ranged on shelves beside her.' - British Museum. One of 30 hand-colored engraved humorous plates (published December 1815). 'The interior of a fashionable restaurant, which a hanging lamp shows to be Véry Frères (see No. 12367). A ragged old man on crutches leans through an open window to beg from a massive and gorged British officer, who faces him, seated at a small table. Their words are engraved below the design: "Je n'ai rien mangé depuis hier - God-dam! ce coquin il être bien heureux de avoir faim." The officer wears a short tunic with a large epaulet, projecting shirt-frill, and trousers; his right hand clasps his great paunch. On the table are a raised pie, dessert, bottles, and full glass. On the floor beside him are piled two plates, one with the half-eaten thigh of a bird and empty bottles, some broken. An incredibly bloated dog barks at the beggar. On a stool (left) are shako, with sword-belt and sabre. Behind the beggar is a colonnade. Behind the Briton a vestibule, from which a gentlemanly waiter takes a dish to a terrace with trees (right). Behind, in a glorified bar, surmounted by a pediment in which is a clock-face, stands an elegant woman, probably Mme Véry, see No. 12409; bottles and jars are ranged on shelves beside her.' - British Museum. Oblong medium folio, mounted on tan board; margins; worn, yellowed. 'Suprême bon ton No. 6'. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, '1959.

L' Entrée du bois

L' Entrée du bois

Brown University

One of a collection of 21 mounted small engraved plates by and after Duplessis-Bertaux of military and other scenes. Figure with cows looking at man riding horse in distance, farmhouse with men and women outside in top left. Plate No. 13. One of a collection of 21 mounted small engraved plates by and after Duplessis-Bertaux of military and other scenes. Figure with cows looking at man riding horse in distance, farmhouse with men and women outside in top left. Plate No. 13. Oblong; tan paper; yellowed; bound in maroon cloth, maroon leather label stamped gold. Paris, Grangié sale, 1966.

L' entrée d'une partie des alliés à Paris

Hand-colored engraved caricature; several Russian soldiers entering Paris with farm wagon and large variety of walking livestock. Hand-colored engraved caricature; several Russian soldiers entering Paris with farm wagon and large variety of walking livestock. Oblong folio, matted; plate mark, margins trimmed; cleaned. [Also, another impression]. London, Maggs, 1953.

L' Enjambée Impériale

L' Enjambée Impériale

Brown University

Broadley: "...adapted from an older print in which the Empress Catherine of Russia fills the place now given to Napoleon. Her feet are planted on Russia and Constantinople, while those of the Emperor rest on Elba and the coast of France. In one hand he holds a banner lettered 'Honour' and 'Fatherland'; in the other a sword and an olive branch. Louis XVIII, the Comte d'Artois, and the Duc and Duchesse d'Angoulème, and others observe his action through telescopes from a balustrade.... Two members of the Royalist party are wearing 'Extinguishers' as helmets." Broadley: "...adapted from an older print in which the Empress Catherine of Russia fills the place now given to Napoleon. Her feet are planted on Russia and Constantinople, while those of the Emperor rest on Elba and the coast of France. In one hand he holds a banner lettered 'Honour' and 'Fatherland'; in the other a sword and an olive branch. Louis XVIII, the Comte d'Artois, and the Duc and Duchesse d'Angoulème, and others observe his action through telescopes from a balustrade.... Two members of the Royalist party are wearing 'Extinguishers' as helmets." March 1815 Dialogue: Figure at far left: "Faisons nos paquets" [Let us pack up!] 2nd from left: "Envoyons les Gardes de la porte pour le mettre déhors" [Send janitors to turn him out!] Center figure: "Cet homme fera son chemin." [This man will make his way!] 2nd figure from right: "Donnez lui des Calottes." [Slap his face!] Figure at far right: "Faisons lui une petite guerre." [Let us wage war with him'] Label(s): Honneur et Patrie [Honor and Fatherland]

L' Enfant trouve: -- a sample of Roman charity!--or--the misfortune of not being born with marks of "the talents"!-- ...

A black servant places a basket with an orphaned infant in it on a round table. Six broad-bottomed figures crowd around it--four wear Catholic ecclesiastical clothing and ornament--and examine the child's bottom in order to determine whether or not it is one of their own. The room is richly decorated with Catholic paraphernalia; crosses hang from chandeliers and an altar to "St. Napoleon" occupies the right corner of the room. Margaret George provides an excellent explanation of this print. George has identified the Broadbottoms as members of the Grenville family. The Marchioness, (center r.), is dressed as an abbess. However, under her simple robe, one can see an elegant gown that reveals her hypocrisy and her elevated class status. To the right of the Marchioness, the Marquis, in military uniform, rises to inspect the squalling baby in the basket. The baby has been sent to the Marchioness; a paper in the basket is inscribed, "Copy of verses to the Marchioness of Broad..." On the left side of the table, the Marquis' brothers Thomas Grenville and Lord Grenville eye the bundle with distaste and distrust. George states: "Parsimony combined with wealth and magnificence is indicated by the guttering altar candles, as well as by the decision to send the child to the workhouse." The head (hair) of the eighth figure from the left has been retouched with opaque white and black ink (gouache? pen?) at a later date. A black servant places a basket with an orphaned infant in it on a round table. Six broad-bottomed figures crowd around it--four wear Catholic ecclesiastical clothing and ornament--and examine the child's bottom in order to determine whether or not it is one of their own. The room is richly decorated with Catholic paraphernalia; crosses hang from chandeliers and an altar to "St. Napoleon" occupies the right corner of the room. Margaret George provides an excellent explanation of this print. George has identified the Broadbottoms as members of the Grenville family. The Marchioness, (center r.), is dressed as an abbess. However, under her simple robe, one can see an elegant gown that reveals her hypocrisy and her elevated class status. To the right of the Marchioness, the Marquis, in military uniform, rises to inspect the squalling baby in the basket. The baby has been sent to the Marchioness; a paper in the basket is inscribed, "Copy of verses to the Marchioness of Broad..." On the left side of the table, the Marquis' brothers Thomas Grenville and Lord Grenville eye the bundle with distaste and distrust. George states: "Parsimony combined with wealth and magnificence is indicated by the guttering altar candles, as well as by the decision to send the child to the workhouse." The head (hair) of the eighth figure from the left has been retouched with opaque white and black ink (gouache? pen?) at a later date. Published by Hannah Humphrey, 1808-05-19. British Museum, BM 10986. According to George, the print references an actual event in which a child in a basket labeled 'To the humane care of the Marchioness of Buckingham' was left on the doorstep of Buckingham's house in Pall Mall. Here, the Grenvilles, who supported Catholic Emancipation, are severely criticized for their religiosity as well as for their rumored support of Napoleon and what George describes as an 'accumulation of sinecures.'

L' enfant du Régiment

L' enfant du Régiment

Brown University

Hand-colored stipple-engraving (by Partout); group of sappers, one sitting with child in uniform (Duc de Bordeaux?) on his knee. Hand-colored stipple-engraving (by Partout); group of sappers, one sitting with child in uniform (Duc de Bordeaux?) on his knee. Small oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

L' Emprunt des Dernières Cartouches: Français, encore un effort!

Lithograph after Tel; civilian and young girl in trench hand up ammunition to crouching soldier in front of trench. Lithograph after Tel; civilian and young girl in trench hand up ammunition to crouching soldier in front of trench. Giant folio; margins intact; some edges or corners torn or worn, creases. Paris, Cart, 1956.

L' Emprunt de la Libération

Lithograph after Faivre; Kaiser Wilhelm with broken sword, pursued by mass of Allied flags. Lithograph after Faivre; Kaiser Wilhelm with broken sword, pursued by mass of Allied flags. Giant folio; margins intact; some edges or corners torn or worn, creases. Paris, Cart, 1956.

L' Emprunt de la Libération

Lithograph after Faivre, by Devambez; Kaiser Wilhelm collapsing with broken sword beneath advancing Allied flags. Lithograph after Faivre, by Devambez; Kaiser Wilhelm collapsing with broken sword beneath advancing Allied flags. Giant folio; margins intact; some edges or corners torn or worn, creases. Presented, 1972, by Brown University Library

L' Empire des usages ou chaque pays chaque mode

Hand-colored engraved caricature; 2 British and (Russian?) soldiers preparing for boxing-match at left, 2 officers seated eating and drinking at table at right, smaller soldier figures in background. Hand-colored engraved caricature; 2 British and (Russian?) soldiers preparing for boxing-match at left, 2 officers seated eating and drinking at table at right, smaller soldier figures in background. Small oblong folio; margins trimmed close; clean. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1958.

L' Empereur de Russie et le Roi de Prusse passant une revue

Hand-colored line- and stipple-engraving, finely colored and detailed; mounted rulers with suites on country road in winter, troops under review in background, peasant couple observing on right. Hand-colored line- and stipple-engraving, finely colored and detailed; mounted rulers with suites on country road in winter, troops under review in background, peasant couple observing on right. Oblong medium folio, matted folio; margins entriely trimmed away; clean. Paris, Franck sale, 1955.

L' Autrichien sentimental

One of a collection of 7 (of 14) hand-colored engraved plates by Blanchard, Thiebaut, Rulhières, chiefly after Finart of allied soldiers and Parisian women, caricatured. Austrian soldiering suplicating himself by woman One of a collection of 7 (of 14) hand-colored engraved plates by Blanchard, Thiebaut, Rulhières, chiefly after Finart of allied soldiers and Parisian women, caricatured. Austrian soldiering suplicating himself by woman Upright medium folio, matted; some margins trimmed; clean. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949.

L' Auteur Affamé dit Mr. Boursouflé de Maison Ternel

Hand-coloured engraved caricature; scrawny figure of Chateaubriand at left, pointing to Louis XVIII and members of Royal family gluttoning around table at right. Hand-coloured engraved caricature; scrawny figure of Chateaubriand at left, pointing to Louis XVIII and members of Royal family gluttoning around table at right. Oblong medium folio, mounted on white paper; margins intact; faded, slightly yellowed. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1965. Title: L'AUTEUR AFFAMÉ dit Mr. Boursouflé de Maison Terne. Caption: Souvenirs de 1815. Text: De la nécessité de se rallier à ses souverains légitimes. Letter (Correspondence): BREVET DE CHEVALIER DE JÉRUSALEM Letter (Correspondence): JOURNAL UNIVERSEL de GAND Letter (Correspondence): GÉNIE DU CHRISTIANIS ME. Caption: A Paris, chez tous les Mds. de Nouveautés.

L' Aumonier du régiment et le soldat de la vieille Garde

Colored lithograph by Marlet; chaplain talking to several soldiers outside barracks, sentry and veteran on pavement on left. Colored lithograph by Marlet; chaplain talking to several soldiers outside barracks, sentry and veteran on pavement on left. Oblong folio; margins. Paris, Grangié sale, 1967.

L' Assemblée de famille: ou discution d'une haute importance

Colored lithographic caricature showing seated group of military ecclesiastical and other personages; group of six humorous figures seated, one wearing a sombrero and smoking a pipe. Colored lithographic caricature showing seated group of military ecclesiastical and other personages; group of six humorous figures seated, one wearing a sombrero and smoking a pipe. Oblong folio; margins intact; foxed. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1956.

L' Aspirant

L' Aspirant

Brown University

Hand-colored engraved caricature; standing skinny comic figure of officer with red carnation boutonnière and white cockade on hat. Hand-colored engraved caricature; standing skinny comic figure of officer with red carnation boutonnière and white cockade on hat. Upright matted; pl. mark, margins intact; clean. Paris, Bihn, 1955

L' Art Militaire. L'Artillerie

Colored engraving, numbered 92; 2 military trophies. Colored engraving, numbered 92; 2 military trophies. Upright folio; plate mark, margins intact; clean. title: L'Art Militaire L'Artillerie number: 92

L' art au regiment

L' art au regiment

Brown University

Colored lithograph by Bettanier after Guillemin, printed by Lemercier; soldier artist painting portrait of yawning grenadier in barracks. Colored lithograph by Bettanier after Guillemin, printed by Lemercier; soldier artist painting portrait of yawning grenadier in barracks. Oblong folio; margins intact; clean, upper margin water-stained. New York, F. Thomas Heller, 1958.

L' Arsenal impl. rue dit Renngasse. N. 94: Das k.k. Zeughaus in der Renngasse

Color aquatint; exterior of building, carriage and small military figures passing in street; title also in German. Plate 94 from Maria Geissler, 'Collection de vues des principaux Palais, Eglises, Batimens publics, Campagnes & jardins tant de Vienne que de ses Environs. Ansichten-Sammlung der Berühmtesten Palläste Gebäude und der Schönsten Gegenden von und um Wien" (Vienna: Maria Geissler, 1812). Color aquatint; exterior of building, carriage and small military figures passing in street; title also in German. Plate 94 from Maria Geissler, 'Collection de vues des principaux Palais, Eglises, Batimens publics, Campagnes & jardins tant de Vienne que de ses Environs. Ansichten-Sammlung der Berühmtesten Palläste Gebäude und der Schönsten Gegenden von und um Wien" (Vienna: Maria Geissler, 1812). Small oblong; plate mark, margins. Leichtenstein-Hauslab Collection, 1951.