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

Germany 1945

Germany 1945

Brown University

A portrait of a GI sitting on the ground, his arm resting on his knee. A bazooka is set up in front of him. A portrait of a GI sitting on the ground, his arm resting on his knee. A bazooka is set up in front of him. Chapman served in the U.S. Army and sketched scenes stateside, in convoy, and in England before being transferred in 1944 to the Public Relations and Historical Section of the 84th Infantry Division to produce work on the Battle of Germany. He also did cartoons for the 84th divisional newspaper and Stars & Stripes.

Germani et Russo-Sarmate Auxiliarii summum strenuitatis prebent specimen in profligandis Gallis prope Tortonam die 16...

Colored copper-engraving; small group of soldiers in combat in foreground, some wounded, background of plain and distant town with battle in progress. Colored copper-engraving; small group of soldiers in combat in foreground, some wounded, background of plain and distant town with battle in progress. Small oblong folio; plate mark, margins trimmed. Vienna, Christian Nebehay, 1953.

German Volunteers, Philadelphia

18th in collection of annotated watercolor and pencil sketches by Huddy and others for U.S. Military Magazine, music covers etc., and 1 holograph letter; pencil sketch of mounted officer with standing group of 9 militiamen, drummer at far right. 18th in collection of annotated watercolor and pencil sketches by Huddy and others for U.S. Military Magazine, music covers etc., and 1 holograph letter; pencil sketch of mounted officer with standing group of 9 militiamen, drummer at far right. Folio; blue cloth, buff leather label stamped gold; most sketches soiled, worn, creased, torn etc. New York, Joseph A. Heckel, 1952.

German uniforms, c.1895

German uniforms, c.1895

Brown University

Ink tracing by or after Hoffmann of group of 17 uniform figures. Ink tracing by or after Hoffmann of group of 17 uniform figures. Oblong medium folio, mounted on tan paper, matted; no margins; slightly creased, torn and mended. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952.

German uhlan and officers 1909

10th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographic plates by and after Neumann; cavalryman firing carbine at target in background, 2 officers observing. 10th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographic plates by and after Neumann; cavalryman firing carbine at target in background, 2 officers observing. Small folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio stamped gold; clean. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952. title provided by cataloger

German soldiers on the Western front

1 chromolithograph; eight soldiers corssing muddy landscape 1 chromolithograph; eight soldiers corssing muddy landscape Oblong folio. Providence, Carole Kenny, 2006. 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/)

German soldier caricatures, 1873

One of a suite of 3 original watercolor drawings (signature illegible) caricaturing German soldier types, each showing one full-length figure in uniform. One of a suite of 3 original watercolor drawings (signature illegible) caricaturing German soldier types, each showing one full-length figure in uniform. Upright, each matted small folio; no margins; one yellowed and soiled. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman, 1952.

German soldier caricatures, 1873

One of a suite of 3 original watercolor drawings (signature illegible) caricaturing German soldier types, each showing one full-length figure in uniform. One of a suite of 3 original watercolor drawings (signature illegible) caricaturing German soldier types, each showing one full-length figure in uniform. Upright, each matted small folio; no margins; one yellowed and soiled. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1952.

German soldier caricatures, 1873

One of a suite of 3 original watercolor drawings (signature illegible) caricaturing German soldier types, each showing one full-length figure in uniform; soldier holding drum. One of a suite of 3 original watercolor drawings (signature illegible) caricaturing German soldier types, each showing one full-length figure in uniform; soldier holding drum. Upright, each matted small folio; no margins; one yellowed and soiled. N.Y., Rockman, 1952. Title supplied by cataloger.

German soldier caricature, c. 1790

Hand-colored engraved caricature; soldiers and civilians standing outside tavern, woman holding baby in doorway, officer at right center wearing cape and holding up bottle of poison for display, little boy in center blowing toy trumpet, wounded soldiers with peg-legs in left foreground and right background. Hand-colored engraved caricature; soldiers and civilians standing outside tavern, woman holding baby in doorway, officer at right center wearing cape and holding up bottle of poison for display, little boy in center blowing toy trumpet, wounded soldiers with peg-legs in left foreground and right background. Small oblong folio; margins severely trimmed; slightly worn and creased. Title supplied by cataloger. Presented, 1966, by Agnes Mongan.

German Reichswehr Cavalry

1st in suite of 3 original gouache paintings by Leiter; group of mounted and dismounted unform figures of Cavalry Regiment 6, in meadow, showing uniforms of different historical periods. 1st in suite of 3 original gouache paintings by Leiter; group of mounted and dismounted unform figures of Cavalry Regiment 6, in meadow, showing uniforms of different historical periods. Oblong folio; no margins; clean. Hamburg, Helmut Gerhard Schulz, 1957. title provided by cataloger

German Reichswehr Cavalry

2nd in suite of 3 original gouache paintings by Leiter; group of mounted and dismounted unform figures of Cavalry Regiment 7, in meadow, showing uniforms of different historical periods. 2nd in suite of 3 original gouache paintings by Leiter; group of mounted and dismounted unform figures of Cavalry Regiment 7, in meadow, showing uniforms of different historical periods. Oblong folio; no margins; clean. Hamburg, Helmut Gerhard Schulz, 1957. title provided by cataloger

German playing-card with military figure

Wood engraved figure with halberd and sword. Wood engraved figure with halberd and sword. Mounted on board; margins. Title supplied by cataloger. Leichtenstein-Hauslab Collection, 1951.

German photographic scrapbook pages, c. 1866: Württemberg, Hessen, Hamburg, Nassau

Set of 28 scrapbook pages containing small portrait (albumen or carbon print) photographs of German military officers and soldiers, c. 1866; pages include handwritten descriptive notes, in black ink on the photographs themselves, and white ink on the scrapbook pages. Set of 28 scrapbook pages containing small portrait (albumen or carbon print) photographs of German military officers and soldiers, c. 1866; pages include handwritten descriptive notes, in black ink on the photographs themselves, and white ink on the scrapbook pages. Upright photographs, mounted on 28 pages of black scrapbook paper; no margins; clean.

German Ost-Afrika 1909

German Ost-Afrika 1909

Brown University

11th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographc plates by and after Neumann; 4 standing and 1 mounted uniform figures, 3 at right in rifle practice, 1 at left standing at attention with rifle. 11th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographc plates by and after Neumann; 4 standing and 1 mounted uniform figures, 3 at right in rifle practice, 1 at left standing at attention with rifle. Small folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio stamped gold; clean. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952. title provided by cataloger

German officers and civilians by military airplane, c. 1915

One of a collection of 13 original photographs. German officers and civilian officials gathered around military plane. One of a collection of 13 original photographs. German officers and civilian officials gathered around military plane. Oblong, no margins; in small green cloth portfolio stamped red "German and Colonial Troops, World War I. Photographs". Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1960.

German occupation of Paris, Rue de Collissé, 1871

One of a collection of four pencil and chalk drawings, one heightened in ink, 2 initialed "R.L.," of military scenes. French and German soldiers in city street watching troopers riding by. One of a collection of four pencil and chalk drawings, one heightened in ink, 2 initialed "R.L.," of military scenes. French and German soldiers in city street watching troopers riding by. Reproduced in the Illustrated London News on March 18, 1871, page 256 (bottom). N.Y., Rockman, 1951.

German nonchalence:-or-, the vexation of little-Boney

In this satire Gillray makes expert use of several engraving techniques to provide depth and texture to the scene. On the left of the sheet, a post-chaise races past the French emperor and his guards, who stand at the entrance to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. The elegant carriage is ornamented with the Hapsburg eagles and the letter "S," two features which identify the poised gentleman within as Count Starhemberg, Austrian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to England (as noted by George). The count is unperturbed by the speed of his departure, which he signals by dipping a pinch of snuff while contemptuously eyeing Napoleon and his Grenadiers. The carriage is pulled by two powerful horses who snort and grimace in Napoleon's direction. The driver wears a maniacal grin and rides astride the left horse's back while urging the team on with a long whip. Arms and legs flung apart in a gesture of shock, Napoleon's starts at the apparition. Such is his shock that his plumed hat flies backwards off his head. The Grenadiers who are clustered in a semicircle around Napoleon tower over their commander. They have long handlebar mustaches and reach for their swords, waiting for orders. Although made small, Napoleon stands out from the crowd by his gesture and by Gillray's use of texture, which is used to obscure the Grenadiers around Napoleon, but leaves Napoleon himself to be delineated with clean lines. George notes that the event the print relates to is unclear. According to her estimation, it most likely refers to two incidents: the orders Napoleon gave to the Count to vacate Paris; and the anecdote that Starhemberg passed through Paris on a visit and failed to pay his respects to Napoleon. In this satire Gillray makes expert use of several engraving techniques to provide depth and texture to the scene. On the left of the sheet, a post-chaise races past the French emperor and his guards, who stand at the entrance to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. The elegant carriage is ornamented with the Hapsburg eagles and the letter "S," two features which identify the poised gentleman within as Count Starhemberg, Austrian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to England (as noted by George). The count is unperturbed by the speed of his departure, which he signals by dipping a pinch of snuff while contemptuously eyeing Napoleon and his Grenadiers. The carriage is pulled by two powerful horses who snort and grimace in Napoleon's direction. The driver wears a maniacal grin and rides astride the left horse's back while urging the team on with a long whip. Arms and legs flung apart in a gesture of shock, Napoleon's starts at the apparition. Such is his shock that his plumed hat flies backwards off his head. The Grenadiers who are clustered in a semicircle around Napoleon tower over their commander. They have long handlebar mustaches and reach for their swords, waiting for orders. Although made small, Napoleon stands out from the crowd by his gesture and by Gillray's use of texture, which is used to obscure the Grenadiers around Napoleon, but leaves Napoleon himself to be delineated with clean lines. George notes that the event the print relates to is unclear. According to her estimation, it most likely refers to two incidents: the orders Napoleon gave to the Count to vacate Paris; and the anecdote that Starhemberg passed through Paris on a visit and failed to pay his respects to Napoleon. The address given in the publication inscription is that of H. Humphrey's print shop. Until his death in 1815, Gillray lived above the shop and engraved the majority of his works to be published and sold by the Humphrey family. Note also that in addition to signing the print as the publisher, Gillray signed the image (on the bottom step, second flagstone from right): Js Gillray inv. & fec. Dialogue: Napoleon: "Ha diable! va t'en! Impertinent! va't 'en! is dere von Man on Earth who not Worship little Boney? Soldats! aux Armes! revenge! ah sacre dieu! je suis tous Tremblans!" Inscription: Published Jany 1st 1803 by Js Gillray, 27 St Jamess Str.

German naval gun crew, 1915

Original charcoal drawing by Pailer (or Sailer?), signed and dated 15. Aug. --15; naval gun crew serving field piece in entrenchment. Original charcoal drawing by Pailer (or Sailer?), signed and dated 15. Aug. --15; naval gun crew serving field piece in entrenchment. Oblong folio; no margins. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1954. Title supplied by cataloger

German military parade through town, c. 1911 (in Metz?)

Original gelatin DOP print photograph; bird's-eye view from rear of military procession proceeding down broad, tree-lined town boulevard, soldiers in German uniforms, unarmed; a few men, women spectators looking on. [See also: German military funeral procession in Metz, c. 1910] Original gelatin DOP print photograph; bird's-eye view from rear of military procession proceeding down broad, tree-lined town boulevard, soldiers in German uniforms, unarmed; a few men, women spectators looking on. [See also: German military funeral procession in Metz, c. 1910] Upright; margins; clean.

German military funeral procession in Metz, c. 1910

Original gelatin DOP print photograph; bird's-eye view from rear of military funeral procession proceeding down broad, tree-lined town boulevard, soldiers in German uniforms, unarmed; a few men, women, including woman with pram, and children spectators looking on. [See also: German military parade through town, c. 1911 (in Metz?)] Original gelatin DOP print photograph; bird's-eye view from rear of military funeral procession proceeding down broad, tree-lined town boulevard, soldiers in German uniforms, unarmed; a few men, women, including woman with pram, and children spectators looking on. [See also: German military parade through town, c. 1911 (in Metz?)] Upright; margins; clean.

German marine, World War One

Watercolor, inscribed 'M.R. 16'; marine lying on edge of sand dune holding binoculars and rifle, seacoast background. Watercolor, inscribed 'M.R. 16'; marine lying on edge of sand dune holding binoculars and rifle, seacoast background. Upright; no margins. Title supplied by cataloger

German luxury, or Repos a l'Allemande

Hand-colored engraved caricature. 'A German officer lies on his back on a truckle bed in a poverty-stricken room. He smokes a long curved pipe, emitting clouds of smoke. His bare feet project from the striped duvet which is his only covering; on his nightcap is an insect. The plaster has fallen from the wall leaving large patches of brick; on it hang his sword, cloak, cocked hat, and a bust portrait of Frederick the Great inscribed 'F. 11'. The only objects on the boarded floor are a close-stool (left) with a torn 'Brussells Gazette', a chamber-pot, and pair of jack-boots (right)' -- British Museum. Hand-colored engraved caricature. 'A German officer lies on his back on a truckle bed in a poverty-stricken room. He smokes a long curved pipe, emitting clouds of smoke. His bare feet project from the striped duvet which is his only covering; on his nightcap is an insect. The plaster has fallen from the wall leaving large patches of brick; on it hang his sword, cloak, cocked hat, and a bust portrait of Frederick the Great inscribed 'F. 11'. The only objects on the boarded floor are a close-stool (left) with a torn 'Brussells Gazette', a chamber-pot, and pair of jack-boots (right)' -- British Museum. Oblong medium folio, matted; plate mark, margins intact; clean.

German irregular troops, 1844

Unsigned original ink and watercolor drawing of uniform group, outdoors, including Hanover lancer (mounted), Baden volunteer chasseur and other standing or sitting figures. Unsigned original ink and watercolor drawing of uniform group, outdoors, including Hanover lancer (mounted), Baden volunteer chasseur and other standing or sitting figures. Oblong, matted; margins. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints

German infantry soldier

German infantry soldier

Brown University

Carbon print postcard photograph published by Math. Schiffer, Jülich, with red coloring on uniform highlights; full-length portrait of soldier standing with left hand resting on pedestal, right hand at side holding white gloves; description on verso. Carbon print postcard photograph published by Math. Schiffer, Jülich, with red coloring on uniform highlights; full-length portrait of soldier standing with left hand resting on pedestal, right hand at side holding white gloves; description on verso. Upright; no margins; clean.

German infantry 1909

German infantry 1909

Brown University

9th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographic plates by and after Neumann; 4 uniform figures in camp, with stacked rifles in background. 9th in collection of 11 uncolored lithographic plates by and after Neumann; 4 uniform figures in camp, with stacked rifles in background. Small folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio stamped gold; clean. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952. title provided by cataloger

German Hussar

German Hussar

Brown University

8 aquatint pieces comprising cravat, breeches, pair of boots, tunic, sabretache, cape and busby. From paper doll set titled 'The Protean Figure'. 8 aquatint pieces comprising cravat, breeches, pair of boots, tunic, sabretache, cape and busby. From paper doll set titled 'The Protean Figure'. Small oblong folio. London, Parker Gallery, 1951 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/)

German general, unidentified

One of a collection of 13 original photographs, some with pencil captions. Portrait of World War I German general in uniform (possibly Ludwig III of Bavaria). One of a collection of 13 original photographs, some with pencil captions. Portrait of World War I German general in uniform (possibly Ludwig III of Bavaria). Upright, no margins; in small green cloth portfolio stamped red "German and Colonial Troops, World War I. Photographs". Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1960.

German cavalrymen, World War One

Watercolor, inscribed 'M.R. 16' [by M. Rohrlapper]; three soldiers sitting on barrels in barn, with horses behind them. Watercolor, inscribed 'M.R. 16' [by M. Rohrlapper]; three soldiers sitting on barrels in barn, with horses behind them. Upright; no margins. Title supplied by cataloger

German Army maneuvers, c. 1911 - line of mounted officers at edge of road

Gelatin DOP print photograph; scene of military training maneuvers; small troop of mounted officers, facing left, on grass at edge of road (visible in lower left corner). Gelatin DOP print photograph; scene of military training maneuvers; small troop of mounted officers, facing left, on grass at edge of road (visible in lower left corner). Oblong small folio; margins; clean. title provided by cataloger