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 officer

French officer

Brown University

33rd in album containing 39 crude watercolors of Austrian, British, French, Dutch, Swiss, Hesse-Cassel, Hess-Darmstadt, Hanoverian and Prussian uniforms, 1 miniature gouache portrait, 3 ink or pencil sketches; mounted figure of French officer in dark blue coat, white trousers, white trim, facing left. 33rd in album containing 39 crude watercolors of Austrian, British, French, Dutch, Swiss, Hesse-Cassel, Hess-Darmstadt, Hanoverian and Prussian uniforms, 1 miniature gouache portrait, 3 ink or pencil sketches; mounted figure of French officer in dark blue coat, white trousers, white trim, facing left. Full calf tooled gold, brown leather back, no title; worn. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1959.

French North African mounted soldier, c. 1880

Albumen print photograph; North African soldier in burnoose, with rifle, mounted on white horse, facing right, open field in background. Albumen print photograph; North African soldier in burnoose, with rifle, mounted on white horse, facing right, open field in background. Square, in envelope; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

French ninth dragoons

French ninth dragoons

Brown University

Original signed watercolor by Thuret; piquet of 6 mounted dragoons in countryside. Original signed watercolor by Thuret; piquet of 6 mounted dragoons in countryside. Small oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger Heidelberg, Helmut Tenner, 1956.

French naval officer, Noumea, New Caledonia

Original sepia ink sketch, signed by Shannon, of a French naval officer in Noumea with notations as to the color of various parts of his uniform; Noumea, New Caledonia. Original sepia ink sketch, signed by Shannon, of a French naval officer in Noumea with notations as to the color of various parts of his uniform; Noumea, New Caledonia. Shannon served as a war artist with the U.S. Army in the South Pacific War Art Unit in 1943. Later became picture editor and illustrator for the Army Information and Education Division, New York, 1944-1946.

French mounted dragoon, 1806

Etching on grey-tan paper signed and dated by Boerner; dragoon leaning forward in saddle, horse resting, outdoors. Etching on grey-tan paper signed and dated by Boerner; dragoon leaning forward in saddle, horse resting, outdoors. Small upright; plate mark. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1971. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French military uniforms, c. 1820

18th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Gallina; uniform group of 8 standing figures, including officer, dragoon, hussar, cuirassier, and infantrymen. 18th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Gallina; uniform group of 8 standing figures, including officer, dragoon, hussar, cuirassier, and infantrymen. Oblong folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio, black leather label stamped gold "Ferrario - European Uniforms - c. 1820". New York, Rockman Prints, 1948,

French military uniforms, c. 1810

17th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Gallina; uniform group of 6 standing figures, including dragoon, hussar, cuirassier, rifleman, infantryman. 17th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Gallina; uniform group of 6 standing figures, including dragoon, hussar, cuirassier, rifleman, infantryman. Oblong folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio, black leather label stamped gold "Ferrario - European Uniforms - c. 1820". New York, Rockman Prints, 1948,

French military uniforms, c. 1800

16th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Bramatti; uniform group of 6 standing figures, including officer, hussar, grenadier, lancer, dragoon, and Mamluk wearing turban and scimitar. 16th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Bramatti; uniform group of 6 standing figures, including officer, hussar, grenadier, lancer, dragoon, and Mamluk wearing turban and scimitar. Oblong folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio, black leather label stamped gold "Ferrario - European Uniforms - c. 1820". New York, Weyhe, 1942.

French military uniforms and state dress, c. 1800

14th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Biasioli; uniform group of 9 standing figures, showing French military, governmental, and other uniforms and costume, ca. 1800. 14th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Biasioli; uniform group of 9 standing figures, showing French military, governmental, and other uniforms and costume, ca. 1800. Oblong folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio, black leather label stamped gold "Ferrario - European Uniforms - c. 1820". New York, Weyhe, 1938.

French military uniforms and state dress, c. 1800

15th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Biasioli; uniform group of 9 standing figures, showing French military, governmental, and other uniforms and costume, ca. 1800. 15th in collection of 22 colored engraved plates of uniform groups, from vol. I of 'Le costume ancien et moderne ou histoire du gouvernment', this one by Biasioli; uniform group of 9 standing figures, showing French military, governmental, and other uniforms and costume, ca. 1800. Oblong folio, unbound; in maroon cloth portfolio, black leather label stamped gold "Ferrario - European Uniforms - c. 1820". N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1948. another copy of engraving mods record askb012958

French military parade, c. 1910

Colored lithograph (impressionist style) by and after Ibels; soldiers marching in column, preceded by trumpeter; officer and another trumpeter at left. Colored lithograph (impressionist style) by and after Ibels; soldiers marching in column, preceded by trumpeter; officer and another trumpeter at left. Small oblong folio, matted; margins intact; clean. London, Redfern (Maggs), 1956. Title supplied by cataloger

French military letter-paper, c. 1890

Collection of 4 sheets of letter-paper with chromolithographic borders and illustrations of uniform figures and groups of: a) chasseurs à cheval, b) chasseurs à pied, c) cuirassiers, d) train. Collection of 4 sheets of letter-paper with chromolithographic borders and illustrations of uniform figures and groups of: a) chasseurs à cheval, b) chasseurs à pied, c) cuirassiers, d) train. Upright; clean. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1972. title provided by cataloger

French military execution, c. 1812

Hand-colored engraving, unsigned; scene of military execution (possibly of Claude François de Malet), dog clinging to condemned at left, firing squad at right, landscape background. Hand-colored engraving, unsigned; scene of military execution (possibly of Claude François de Malet), dog clinging to condemned at left, firing squad at right, landscape background. Small oblong, matted; margins entirely trimmed away; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

French military costume

French military costume

Brown University

Pencil drawing (by Dighton) of 4 soldiers standing and sitting. Pencil drawing (by Dighton) of 4 soldiers standing and sitting. Oblong small folio, mounted on white paper bearing title in pencil, no margins, clean. Southsea, UK, Stephen Wood, 2004

French military band, with troops, c. 1855

Original watercolor, signed bottom right: 'O. Norie'; group of French infantry troops in blue overcoats, forming up (for maneuvers?), with military band group in foreground. Original watercolor, signed bottom right: 'O. Norie'; group of French infantry troops in blue overcoats, forming up (for maneuvers?), with military band group in foreground. Oblong folio; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

French military alphabet, c. 1860

Colored lithograph alphabet printed by Geny-Gros, with 38 uniform figures in 4 rows. Colored lithograph alphabet printed by Geny-Gros, with 38 uniform figures in 4 rows. Large upright folio, matted; margins; slightly worn and yellowed. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1949. title provided by cataloger

French Marshal's funeral procession, c. 1860

Sheet with 3 rows of pasted-on small colored lithograph cut-out imagerie figures forming military funeral cortège. Sheet with 3 rows of pasted-on small colored lithograph cut-out imagerie figures forming military funeral cortège. Oblong folio, 2 pieces [cf. FrP1860mf-b], mounted on paper; margins. Title and subtitle provided by cataloger

French Marshal's funeral procession, c. 1860

Sheet with 3 rows of pasted-on small colored lithograph cut-out imagerie figures forming military funeral cortège Sheet with 3 rows of pasted-on small colored lithograph cut-out imagerie figures forming military funeral cortège Oblong folio, 2 pieces [cf. FrP1860mf-1a], mounted on paper; margins. Title and subtitle provided by cataloger

French marine soldier, c. 1786

One of 3 original watercolor drawings after Graf of uniform figure. [See also: French troops in Africa, II Empire; Proposed French Infantry Uniform, c. 1912]. One of 3 original watercolor drawings after Graf of uniform figure. [See also: French troops in Africa, II Empire; Proposed French Infantry Uniform, c. 1912]. Upright folio, matted; margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Walter Schatzki, 1952.

French Lieutenant-General (duc de Choiseul?), c. 1830

Lithograph; half-length portrait of unidentified lieutenant-general (possibly the duc de Choiseul), hatless, in uniform, arms folded, wearing Légion d'Honneur. Lithograph; half-length portrait of unidentified lieutenant-general (possibly the duc de Choiseul), hatless, in uniform, arms folded, wearing Légion d'Honneur. Upright; margins entirely trimmed away. Title supplied by cataloger

French lancers, c.1811

French lancers, c.1811

Brown University

Unsigned sepia wash drawing; 3 mounted lancers of 1er Régiment, Lanciers Polonais de la Garde. Unsigned sepia wash drawing; 3 mounted lancers of 1er Régiment, Lanciers Polonais de la Garde. Upright, matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

French lancers and hussars talking in street

Colored lithograph by and after Eugène (Lami?), dated 1820 by artist; 2 hussars and 2 lancers, dismounted, one with guidon, standing and talking together in street, other soldiers seen through gate at left. Colored lithograph by and after Eugène (Lami?), dated 1820 by artist; 2 hussars and 2 lancers, dismounted, one with guidon, standing and talking together in street, other soldiers seen through gate at left. Upright medium folio, matted; margins severely trimmed; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

French lancer, c. 1855

French lancer, c. 1855

Brown University

Original watercolor signed bottom right: 'O. Norie'; mounted uniform figure of French lancer, riding toward left over barren hills (Crimea?), looking back over shoulder; smaller uniform figures in background. Original watercolor signed bottom right: 'O. Norie'; mounted uniform figure of French lancer, riding toward left over barren hills (Crimea?), looking back over shoulder; smaller uniform figures in background. Oblong small folio; no margins; clean.

French Lancer officer with woman, c. 1830

6th of 7 watercolor, ink or pencil sketches of uniform figures and groups, mounted in album; pencil sketch of French lancer, standing with woman in hoop skirt, who is holding parasol. 6th of 7 watercolor, ink or pencil sketches of uniform figures and groups, mounted in album; pencil sketch of French lancer, standing with woman in hoop skirt, who is holding parasol. Upright; bound in red, black and white decorated boards, maroon leather label stamped gold. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1965.

French lancer in tenue de Route, c. 1869

Original watercolor signed by Lalaisse; 3/4 view from rear of mounted lancer, small pencil sketch of dismounted figure at right. Original watercolor signed by Lalaisse; 3/4 view from rear of mounted lancer, small pencil sketch of dismounted figure at right. Small upright folio, matted; no margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger.

French lancer

French lancer

Brown University

One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Three-fourths view of mounted soldier from behind. Study for painting One of a collection of 16 original matted pencil sketches heightened with chalk, stamped with monogram of E(rnest) C(rofts). Three-fourths view of mounted soldier from behind. Study for painting Folio, unbound, matted; in maroon portfolio stamped gold; clean. N.Y., Argosy, 1965.

French invasion or Brighton in a bustle

Hand-colored engraving caricature, published March 1st, 1794. 'A scene at Brighton; some Frenchmen have landed on the beach; others are in broad clumsy boats which have left French men-of-war. In the foreground old women and yokels are dealing with the invaders. A woman resembling Martha Gunn, the bathing-woman, trampling on prostrate bodies, holds out at arm's length a kicking French soldier. Two lean and ragged fops (left) kneel before two irate women, one wielding a spit, the other an oar. A yokel uses his pitchfork to raise a prostrate man; he is smoking a pipe. Fat soldiers or volunteers advance from the right, one carrying a basket of pistols. Behind (right) is the high sea-front backed by houses. From this upper level guns are being fired at the boats, some of which founder, and at the ships. The nearest boat, half sunk, displays a guillotine. In bathing-boxes inscribed 'Smoaker' ('7') and ('8') are Fox and Sheridan, furtively looking out. The figures in the foreground are burlesqued, the fighting absurd. In the distance soldiers are drawn up on the beach firing at the invaders under the command of a mounted officer. The first row kneel, the second fire standing. Spectators watch from behind a sea wall and from the windows of the nearest house'. -- British Museum Hand-colored engraving caricature, published March 1st, 1794. 'A scene at Brighton; some Frenchmen have landed on the beach; others are in broad clumsy boats which have left French men-of-war. In the foreground old women and yokels are dealing with the invaders. A woman resembling Martha Gunn, the bathing-woman, trampling on prostrate bodies, holds out at arm's length a kicking French soldier. Two lean and ragged fops (left) kneel before two irate women, one wielding a spit, the other an oar. A yokel uses his pitchfork to raise a prostrate man; he is smoking a pipe. Fat soldiers or volunteers advance from the right, one carrying a basket of pistols. Behind (right) is the high sea-front backed by houses. From this upper level guns are being fired at the boats, some of which founder, and at the ships. The nearest boat, half sunk, displays a guillotine. In bathing-boxes inscribed 'Smoaker' ('7') and ('8') are Fox and Sheridan, furtively looking out. The figures in the foreground are burlesqued, the fighting absurd. In the distance soldiers are drawn up on the beach firing at the invaders under the command of a mounted officer. The first row kneel, the second fire standing. Spectators watch from behind a sea wall and from the windows of the nearest house'. -- British Museum Large oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed; worn. London, Parker Gallery, 1950.

French Inspecteur des Douanes, c. 1830

Unsigned original charcoal portrait of unidentified man, hatless, in uniform of inspecteur des douanes, right hand thrust inside tunic. Unsigned original charcoal portrait of unidentified man, hatless, in uniform of inspecteur des douanes, right hand thrust inside tunic. Square folio, matted; clean. New York, Rockman Prints, 1964. Title supplied by cataloger

French infantryment in combat, c. 1823

Unsigned original ink drawing; 2 infantrymen in combat in position behind ruined wall. Unsigned original ink drawing; 2 infantrymen in combat in position behind ruined wall. Upright folio; margins; splotches with watercolor. Title supplied by cataloger. Paris, Delacre sale, 1962.