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 as it is spoken (at Fismes)

Two American soldiers conversing with a seated French woman in a ruined village; other soldiers marching and walking behind. Charcoal drawing signed and dated lower right L. Jonas 1918. Two American soldiers conversing with a seated French woman in a ruined village; other soldiers marching and walking behind. Charcoal drawing signed and dated lower right L. Jonas 1918. Oblong folio. Title supplied by cataloger.

French artilleryman, c.1875

Original ink drawing on gray paper signed by Delailly (?); standing uniform figure, full-length in profile. Original ink drawing on gray paper signed by Delailly (?); standing uniform figure, full-length in profile. Small upright folio, matted; margins; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1949.

French artilleryman, 1879

Original ink and watercolor drawing on blue paper by Lalaisse; standing uniform figure, cannon in emplacement in right background. Original ink and watercolor drawing on blue paper by Lalaisse; standing uniform figure, cannon in emplacement in right background. Upright folio, matted; no margins; clean. Paris, Cart, 1952. Title supplied by cataloger

French artillery in the Crimea, 1855

Original watercolor signed bottom right: 'O. Norie'; group of horse artillery crossing small stream. Original watercolor signed bottom right: 'O. Norie'; group of horse artillery crossing small stream. Small oblong folio, mounted on board and matted; no margins; clean. London, Parker Gallery, 1957. Title supplied by cataloger

French artillery cannonier, December, 1899

Original ink and wash drawing signed and dated bottom right: 'E. Berne-Bellecour Xbre. 1899'; view of cannonier with rifle cradled in arms, standing in winter landscape. Original ink and wash drawing signed and dated bottom right: 'E. Berne-Bellecour Xbre. 1899'; view of cannonier with rifle cradled in arms, standing in winter landscape. Small upright folio, matted; margins intact; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1962.

French artillery caisson (in Algeria?)

Colored lithograph (after Adam); horse artillery caisson being pushed and dragged up hill, officer on horse supervising in right foreground. Colored lithograph (after Adam); horse artillery caisson being pushed and dragged up hill, officer on horse supervising in right foreground. Oblong; margins entirely trimmed away; clean. Title supplied by cataloger. London, auction, 1952.

French Arquebusier de Grassin, Infanterie

One of a pair of original unsigned ink and watercolor drawings, presumably original drawings by de la Rue for Nouveau Recueil des Troupes Légères de France; standing uniform figure. [See also: French Fusilier de Montagne.] One of a pair of original unsigned ink and watercolor drawings, presumably original drawings by de la Rue for Nouveau Recueil des Troupes Légères de France; standing uniform figure. [See also: French Fusilier de Montagne.] Small upright folio, on gray board mount with border, matted. Title supplied by cataloger. New York, Rockman Prints, 1963.

French Army uniform project, c. 1853

Original unsigned watercolor drawing (by Lecomte); 2 uniform figures, one leaning on gun. Original unsigned watercolor drawing (by Lecomte); 2 uniform figures, one leaning on gun. Upright, matted; margins; yellowed. Title supplied by cataloger. Paris, Cart, 1956.

French Army officers, c. 1875

One of 2 watercolors of French army officers. Tall, thin officer speaking to short, stout officer One of 2 watercolors of French army officers. Tall, thin officer speaking to short, stout officer Upright folio. Title supplied by cataloger. Dedham, MA, Henry Hornblower, 2007

French Army officers, c. 1875

One of 2 watercolors showing French army officers. Seated officer leaning on table laughing, smoking pipe, glass of wine One of 2 watercolors showing French army officers. Seated officer leaning on table laughing, smoking pipe, glass of wine Upright folio. Title supplied by cataloger. Dedham, MA, Henry Hornblower, 2007

French Army of the Loire

One of 4 chromolith. plates; massive French army, with civilian men, woman and child refugees, retreating down country road in rain, toward left. One of 4 chromolith. plates; massive French army, with civilian men, woman and child refugees, retreating down country road in rain, toward left. In blue cloth portfolio stamped red. Hamburg, Helmut Gerhard Schulz, 1951.

French Army medal ceremony, c. 1913

Collodion print photograph; French army officer granting award or promotion to soldier or officer in town park, color guard and pavilion at right, massed troops, building in background; white glare spot or image error in lower left corner. Collodion print photograph; French army officer granting award or promotion to soldier or officer in town park, color guard and pavilion at right, massed troops, building in background; white glare spot or image error in lower left corner. Oblong, on black board, in khaki envelope (France-Photographs); no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

French Army medal ceremony, c. 1910

Collodion print photograph; line of French Army officers and standard bearers in open field, facing right, officer pinning medal or promotion insignia to chest of another officer at right; shadow of photographer in grass at lower center-left. Collodion print photograph; line of French Army officers and standard bearers in open field, facing right, officer pinning medal or promotion insignia to chest of another officer at right; shadow of photographer in grass at lower center-left. Oblong, on black board, in envelope; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

French Army maneuvers, c. 1914

Collodion print photographs; 3 scenes of massed French infantry in formation, marching across open farmland, mounted officers observing. Collodion print photographs; 3 scenes of massed French infantry in formation, marching across open farmland, mounted officers observing. Oblong, in envelope; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

French Army in Battle of Austerlitz (?)

Original sepia ink drawing signed by Ettore Toar (?); combat in river valley, hills in background. Original sepia ink drawing signed by Ettore Toar (?); combat in river valley, hills in background. Small oblong folio, matted; margins; slightly soiled or foxed. New York, Rockman Prints, 1949. Title and subtitle supplied by cataloger

French Army beside river in Italian campaign

Hand-colored engraving; Napoleon and staff on mound in foreground, small figures of troops marching past in background at edge of river or lake, mountains in distance. Hand-colored engraving; Napoleon and staff on mound in foreground, small figures of troops marching past in background at edge of river or lake, mountains in distance. Narrow oblong, mounted on white paper; margins severely trimmed including caption, etc; clean. London, auction, 1952. Title supplied by cataloger

French and Saxon infantry halting

From collection of etchings by and after Zauerveid (Sauerweid) in 1 set of 14 unnumbered plates and 1 set of 12 numbered (1-6,10,12-16); military and campaign scenes showing French, Russian, Saxon, Austrian and Brunswick troops. In numbered series, numbers 1,2,3,6, and also 3 in unnumbered set, are identical with series of color aquatint plates of Saxon troops signed by Edward Hull. Large group of infantry resting on country road, mounted officers and more infantry in background beside house at left. From collection of etchings by and after Zauerveid (Sauerweid) in 1 set of 14 unnumbered plates and 1 set of 12 numbered (1-6,10,12-16); military and campaign scenes showing French, Russian, Saxon, Austrian and Brunswick troops. In numbered series, numbers 1,2,3,6, and also 3 in unnumbered set, are identical with series of color aquatint plates of Saxon troops signed by Edward Hull. Large group of infantry resting on country road, mounted officers and more infantry in background beside house at left. Oblong, unbound; margins intact; clean, in maroon slipcase, red leather label stamped gold "A. Sauerweid & L. Beyer, Militär-Gruppen, 1813-1815". Heidelberg, Helmut Tenner, 1954. title provided by cataloger

French and German officers, 1877

4 small sketches in brownish ink, one signed and dated by Detaille, showing French cuirassier, half-length, and German and French officers, busts. 4 small sketches in brownish ink, one signed and dated by Detaille, showing French cuirassier, half-length, and German and French officers, busts. Mounted together on card; yellowed. Title supplied by cataloger. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1969.

French and Bavarian troops, c. 1809

Original unsigned gouache painting; uniform group before landscape background, smaller figure of 2 dragoons with horses in right background. Original unsigned gouache painting; uniform group before landscape background, smaller figure of 2 dragoons with horses in right background. Oblong folio, matted; worn, repaired tears. Title supplied by cataloger. Hamburg, Helmut Gerhard Schulz, 1954.

French and Austrian troops in Italy, c. 1798

Collection of 7 small engravings (after the manner of Duplessis-Bertaux) of military scenes, showing a) infantry and cavalry in battle; b) horse artillery and galloping cavalryman; c) infantry and cavalry in battle on plain; d) 1 dismounted and 3 mounted cavalrymen; e) infantryman, cavalryman and artillery wagon driver advancing to battle; f) mounted officers at edge of battlefield; g) infantry battle near buildings. Collection of 7 small engravings (after the manner of Duplessis-Bertaux) of military scenes, showing a) infantry and cavalry in battle; b) horse artillery and galloping cavalryman; c) infantry and cavalry in battle on plain; d) 1 dismounted and 3 mounted cavalrymen; e) infantryman, cavalryman and artillery wagon driver advancing to battle; f) mounted officers at edge of battlefield; g) infantry battle near buildings. Oblong, mounted on 4 pieces of white board; margins trimmed; soiled, foxed. New York, Rockman Prints, 1958.

French alias Corsican Villainy or the contrast to English humanity

One of the great criticisms against Napoleon found in English satires and caricatures is his ruthless attitude toward the taking of human life. Napoleon's crimes committed against the armies of Europe and against his own troops represented for the British his illegitimacy as a ruler at a time when monarchs were thought to have a paternal relationship with their subjects. This image even goes so far as to equate the morality of Napoleon with that of the slaves working in New World plantations. Whereas Napoleon represented as inhuman, the British soldiers are represented as highly moral, instructing mercy towards transgressors. The image on the left of the contrast is set in Jaffa. Here Napoleon (r.) instructs the army doctor (center) to drug the plague-infected troops (middle-left, in tents) with opium. The doctor looks chargined at the implications of the order, as do two French soldiers, who stand immediately behind Napoleon and wring their hands. Behind them, on the top of a cliff, is a French fort proudly flying the tricolore. A group of Turkish men who have been taken prisoner are also sentenced to death. In the same breath that he orders his own troops to be poisoned, Napoleon orders the Turks brought to the garrison and shot. The right image is set in the West Indies. In it, a British general stays the hand of an African soldier who is about to behead a French soldier on bended knee at his feet. In the distance other Africans are depicted violently capturing French soldiers. One of the great criticisms against Napoleon found in English satires and caricatures is his ruthless attitude toward the taking of human life. Napoleon's crimes committed against the armies of Europe and against his own troops represented for the British his illegitimacy as a ruler at a time when monarchs were thought to have a paternal relationship with their subjects. This image even goes so far as to equate the morality of Napoleon with that of the slaves working in New World plantations. Whereas Napoleon represented as inhuman, the British soldiers are represented as highly moral, instructing mercy towards transgressors. The image on the left of the contrast is set in Jaffa. Here Napoleon (r.) instructs the army doctor (center) to drug the plague-infected troops (middle-left, in tents) with opium. The doctor looks chargined at the implications of the order, as do two French soldiers, who stand immediately behind Napoleon and wring their hands. Behind them, on the top of a cliff, is a French fort proudly flying the tricolore. A group of Turkish men who have been taken prisoner are also sentenced to death. In the same breath that he orders his own troops to be poisoned, Napoleon orders the Turks brought to the garrison and shot. The right image is set in the West Indies. In it, a British general stays the hand of an African soldier who is about to behead a French soldier on bended knee at his feet. In the distance other Africans are depicted violently capturing French soldiers. Inscribed under lower left margin of left image: 'Pubd. by S. W. Fores No. 50 Piccadilly' Inscribed under lower right margin of right image: 'Folios of Caricatures Lent out for the Evening.' Caption: Pubd Jany 13 1804 by S W Fores No 50 Piccadilly Caption: Folios of Caracatures lent out for the Evening Dialogue: Napoleon: "Don't talk to me of Humanity & the feelings of a generous heart, I say Poison those Sick dogs they are a burthen to me & can no longer fight my Battles!!! I say destroy them_ As for those Turks, shut them up in the Garrison, turn all the Guns upon them, Men, Women & Children, & blow them to atoms, they are too bold & resolute for me to suffer them to live, they are in my Way." Dialogue: Figure at far left: "A mercy, unexpected, undeserv'd suprises [sic] more." Dialogue: Second figure from left: "We know they are our Enemies, & yours, & the Enemies of all Mankind, nevertheless Humanity is so strongly planted in the Breast of an Englisman [sic], that he can become an humble beggar, for the lives, even of his enemies, when they are subdued."

French Affairs No.2. Storming the Tuileries. Patriots Who for Sacred Freedom Stood

Hand-colored etched caricature after Heath. 'The Patriots are led by a man wearing cocked hat and white blouse or shirt over his dress, holding up his sword and a tricolour flag: they are regular soldiers, partly-armed artisans and women, some with musket or sword, some with pikes. They advance rapidly against a cannon with regular troops in the background. In the foreground lie dead civilians, men and women; a wounded man waves his top-hat. In the background, behind clouds of smoke, are the Tuileries' -- British Museum Hand-colored etched caricature after Heath. 'The Patriots are led by a man wearing cocked hat and white blouse or shirt over his dress, holding up his sword and a tricolour flag: they are regular soldiers, partly-armed artisans and women, some with musket or sword, some with pikes. They advance rapidly against a cannon with regular troops in the background. In the foreground lie dead civilians, men and women; a wounded man waves his top-hat. In the background, behind clouds of smoke, are the Tuileries' -- British Museum Oblong medium folio; margins trimmed; clean. NNew York, Walter Schatzki, 1958. Caption: Pub by T. McLean 26 Haymarket London

French (?) military officer, c. 1780

1 original oval goauche portrait on ivory mounted in brass frame; half-length portrait of gentleman with white hair, and wearing a red jacket 1 original oval goauche portrait on ivory mounted in brass frame; half-length portrait of gentleman with white hair, and wearing a red jacket Small oval. Graham, North Carolina, Historical Collectible Auctions, 2004 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/)

Freiwilliges Infanterie-Bataillon: Freiwilliger

16h of 16 mounted hand-colored lithographic plates (by and after Carl Müller) of uniform figures and groups Upright portrait of volunteer infantryman facing forward, rifle in right hand