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

French soldiers in Austria and the Tyrol, c. 1800

Hand-colored engraving; 2 soldiers talking with woman chestnut-vendor. Hand-colored engraving; 2 soldiers talking with woman chestnut-vendor. Upright, 2 prints [cf. FrP1800sf-3a], matted; plate marks, margins; clean. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French soldiers in Austria and the Tyrol, c. 1800

Hand-colored engraving; French officer with arm in sling walking by woman who gives money to a beggar, 2 soldiers carrying a side of meat in right background. Hand-colored engraving; French officer with arm in sling walking by woman who gives money to a beggar, 2 soldiers carrying a side of meat in right background. Upright, 2 prints [cf. FrP1800sf-3b], matted; plate marks, margins; clean. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French soldiers brawling outside tavern

Colored lithograph after H. Vernet; soldiers beginning to fight near overturned table outside tavern, waitress attempting to restrain one, outdoor background. Colored lithograph after H. Vernet; soldiers beginning to fight near overturned table outside tavern, waitress attempting to restrain one, outdoor background. Oblong medium folio, matted; margins entirely trimmed away; clean. London, auction, 1952.

French soldiers brawling outside tavern

Original unsigned pencil sketch by H. Vernet; soldiers beginning to fight near overturned table outside tavern, waitress attempting to restrain one, outdoor background. Original unsigned pencil sketch by H. Vernet; soldiers beginning to fight near overturned table outside tavern, waitress attempting to restrain one, outdoor background. Oblong, matted; margins; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1958.

French soldiers and trophies

Original unsigned ink and wash border or title-page drawing (by Bellangé?); 2 groups of soldiers etc. at left and right, trophies at bottom, allegorical figure at top. Original unsigned ink and wash border or title-page drawing (by Bellangé?); 2 groups of soldiers etc. at left and right, trophies at bottom, allegorical figure at top. Oblong folio; margins; creased, slightly worn. New York, Rockman Prints, 1956. title provided by cataloger

French soldiers and musicians, c.1805

4th in set of 4 unsigned sepia wash drawings, by Naudet; 16 standing figures, in 4 rows, of French soldiers and military musicians. 4th in set of 4 unsigned sepia wash drawings, by Naudet; 16 standing figures, in 4 rows, of French soldiers and military musicians. Upright small folio, mounted on paper, 4 pieces; margins; soiled, yellowed; bound in 1/4 black morocco and blue marble board st. gold "C. Naudet - costumes militaires Ier Empire - original drawings." Paris, Delacre sale, 1961. title provided by cataloger

French soldiers and barmaid

Wood-block (imagerie-type) print by and after C.P.; 4 soldiers outdoors, including artillerie à cheval, tambour-major de grenadiers de la Garde, infantry officer and hussar; barmaid filling glass for one. Wood-block (imagerie-type) print by and after C.P.; 4 soldiers outdoors, including artillerie à cheval, tambour-major de grenadiers de la Garde, infantry officer and hussar; barmaid filling glass for one. Large square folio, matted; margins. Paris, presented by P.L. Duchartre, 1953. title provided by cataloger

French soldier, c. 1870

French soldier, c. 1870

Brown University

Albumen print photograph; full-length uniform portrait of infantryman, left hand on belt, in front of painted backdrop; faint, mostly-illegible brief handwritten note on verso ("Le temps n'est pas longue..."). Albumen print photograph; full-length uniform portrait of infantryman, left hand on belt, in front of painted backdrop; faint, mostly-illegible brief handwritten note on verso ("Le temps n'est pas longue..."). Upright, on card, in envelope; margins; soiled. title provided by cataloger

French soldier, 1916

French soldier, 1916

Brown University

Pastel on paper signed by Huen and inscribed 'Commercy 1916'. Soldier standing at attention holding sword. Pastel on paper signed by Huen and inscribed 'Commercy 1916'. Soldier standing at attention holding sword. Upright folio; matted; no margins. Title supplied by cataloger. Dedham, MA, Henry Hornblower, 2006

French soldier, 1915

French soldier, 1915

Brown University

Pencil sketch on paper with notation Commercy Mars 1915; soldier standing at attention. Pencil sketch on paper with notation Commercy Mars 1915; soldier standing at attention. Upright on paper; matted; margins; yellowed; tear in right margin. Title supplied by cataloger. Dedham, MA, Henry Hornblower, 2006

French soldier with walking stick. XII,5

One of a collection of 34 etched plates (by and) after Watteau of soldier types, numbered XII,5 and showing figure with rifle and pack from behind using walking stick. One of a collection of 34 etched plates (by and) after Watteau of soldier types, numbered XII,5 and showing figure with rifle and pack from behind using walking stick. Bound in 1/4 brown morocco stamped gold and beige cloth; yellowed, stained in lower right corner. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1952.

French soldier with sword in left hand and holding papers in right

One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Soldier with sword in left hand and holding papers in right, another sketch of boots on right. Study for painting One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Soldier with sword in left hand and holding papers in right, another sketch of boots on right. Study for painting Folio, unbound, matted; in maroon portfolio stamped gold; clean. N.Y., Argosy, 1965.

French soldier talking to civilian, c. 1848

2nd of pair of original unsigned pencil and watercolor sketches, showing soldier and civilian walking arm-in-arm, small girl passing at right. 2nd of pair of original unsigned pencil and watercolor sketches, showing soldier and civilian walking arm-in-arm, small girl passing at right. 2 pieces [cf. FrO1845sf-2a], matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger

French soldier scenes, c. 1800

Engraved plates with 6 scenes of soldiers showing a) light cavalryman leading horse, b) commissaire, mounted, 3) hussar in combat, 4) soldiers carrying wounded, 5) mounted and dismounted staff officers conferring, 6) general officer and aide on battlefield. Engraved plates with 6 scenes of soldiers showing a) light cavalryman leading horse, b) commissaire, mounted, 3) hussar in combat, 4) soldiers carrying wounded, 5) mounted and dismounted staff officers conferring, 6) general officer and aide on battlefield. Upright, matted; plate mark, margins; soiled. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French soldier offering a hand

2nd of 2 original pencil drawings, heightened with chalk (studies for paintings), on front and back of one sheet, stamped with monogram of E. C(rofts); infantryman with pack, etc., bending down offering his hand, c. 1815. 2nd of 2 original pencil drawings, heightened with chalk (studies for paintings), on front and back of one sheet, stamped with monogram of E. C(rofts); infantryman with pack, etc., bending down offering his hand, c. 1815. Small upright folio, 2 drawings on 1 sheet [cf. FrO1890sf-2a], matted no margins; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1950. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French soldier of the 92nd or Royal Suédois regiment, c. 1786?

Original unsigned watercolor; standing uniform figure with musket, right arm extended; uniform consists of light blue coat with white or buff facings and waistcoat, grey breeches, black gaiters and buckled shoes, green-fringed sash, cartridge-belt, black bandolier and pouch, unusual headgear of low-crowned metal circlet, pointed in front with device of flags and arms, blue tasselled cap falling over left side of wearer's head. Original unsigned watercolor; standing uniform figure with musket, right arm extended; uniform consists of light blue coat with white or buff facings and waistcoat, grey breeches, black gaiters and buckled shoes, green-fringed sash, cartridge-belt, black bandolier and pouch, unusual headgear of low-crowned metal circlet, pointed in front with device of flags and arms, blue tasselled cap falling over left side of wearer's head. Matted; no margins; slightly worn and creased. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1954.

French soldier lying on ground with left arm raised

One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Soldier lying on ground with left arm raised. Study for painting, One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Soldier lying on ground with left arm raised. Study for painting, Oblong folio; matted, in maroon portfolio stamped gold; clean. N.Y., Argosy, 1965.

French soldier leaning forward

One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Figure with left hand on hip and leaning forward. Study for painting One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Figure with left hand on hip and leaning forward. Study for painting Folio, unbound, matted, in maroon portfolio stamped gold; clean. N.Y., Argosy, 1965.

French soldier holding hat in right hand and with raised left hand

One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Soldier holding hat in right hand and with raised left hand, facing right. One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Soldier holding hat in right hand and with raised left hand, facing right. Study for 'On the Evening of the Battle of Waterloo' (1879) N.Y., Argosy, 1965.

French soldier and peasant, c. 1917

Original unsigned charcoal drawing; soldier in field dress passing peasant outside house. Original unsigned charcoal drawing; soldier in field dress passing peasant outside house. Small oblong folio, matted; no margins; somewhat yellowed. New York, Rockman Prints, 1952. Title supplied by cataloger

French sergent des grenadiers, Ier Empire

Original unsigned oval watercolor (possibly by or after Charlet?); standing figure with pack on back leaning over wall and smoking pipe. Original unsigned oval watercolor (possibly by or after Charlet?); standing figure with pack on back leaning over wall and smoking pipe. Upright medium folio; margins intact; yellowed. Title supplied by cataloger New York, Rockman Prints, 1955.

French sergeant of voltigeurs with children, 1833

Original watercolor signed and dated by Bellangé; soldier seated outside cottage with small child on knee, two other children nearby at left, small soldier in left distance. Original watercolor signed and dated by Bellangé; soldier seated outside cottage with small child on knee, two other children nearby at left, small soldier in left distance. Upright, matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. London, David Ellis-Jones, 1978.

French sergeant of the grenadiers of the Garde Impériale

Original sepia wash drawing signed bottom left: 'Charlet'; side view of grenadier sergeant seated on bench, arms crossed; possibly, instead, a copy after Charlet. Original sepia wash drawing signed bottom left: 'Charlet'; side view of grenadier sergeant seated on bench, arms crossed; possibly, instead, a copy after Charlet. Upright, matted; margins intact; foxed Paris, Librairie les Arcades, 1961. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French sentry, c. 1820

French sentry, c. 1820

Brown University

Original oil painting on panel by Charlet; sentry standing by stone wall, holding musket. Original oil painting on panel by Charlet; sentry standing by stone wall, holding musket. In wooden frame; dulled by varnish. London, Redfern, 1955. title provided by cataloger

French sentry in winter

French sentry in winter

Brown University

7th in collection of 8 woodblock pl. after Berne-Bellecour, Jonas; winter scene, French sentry, wearing heavy coat, standing guard with rifle, in snow, smoking pipe. 7th in collection of 8 woodblock pl. after Berne-Bellecour, Jonas; winter scene, French sentry, wearing heavy coat, standing guard with rifle, in snow, smoking pipe. Small folio, unbound; slightly yellowed; in light blue cloth portfolio, red leather labels st. gold "Berne-Bellecour. French military scenes, 1915-1916". Brussels, Delacre sale, 1961. title provided by cataloger

French sapeur and cantinière in conversation

Original watercolor (by Norie?); sapper and cantinière in conversation on country road in foreground, troops halted in background. Original watercolor (by Norie?); sapper and cantinière in conversation on country road in foreground, troops halted in background. Small oblong folio, matted; clean; no margins. Title supplied by cataloger.

French sailors manning an artillery land battery, 1870

Original sepia (salted paper print) photograph; sailors and officer manning cannon in land battery fortification in Paris. Original sepia (salted paper print) photograph; sailors and officer manning cannon in land battery fortification in Paris. Small oblong folio, mounted on light blue board; no margins; faded. title provided by cataloger New York, Rockman Prints, 1962.

French sailors and officers manning land battery, 1870

Albumen print photograph; uniform group of French sailors and officers posing to display the loading of ammunition into a large cannon within fortifications around Paris. Albumen print photograph; uniform group of French sailors and officers posing to display the loading of ammunition into a large cannon within fortifications around Paris. Oblong, on card, in envelope; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger New York, Rockman Prints, 1962