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

Attack & defeat of rebels at Dickinson Landing, Upper Canada

Color lithograph (by A. Ducôte after Smyth); soldiers and civilians in combat at barge landing. Color lithograph (by A. Ducôte after Smyth); soldiers and civilians in combat at barge landing. Plate XIII from 'Sketches in the Canadas' by Coke Smyth (London, Thos. McLean, 1839). London, Spencer, 1955.

Atlantic crossing

Atlantic crossing

Brown University

Original signed ink and wash drawing. Soldiers gathered on deck of ship crossing the Atlantic. Lifeboat overhead. Original signed ink and wash drawing. Soldiers gathered on deck of ship crossing the Atlantic. Lifeboat overhead. Medium oblong folio; matted; lower corners damaged.

Atbara. Cameron Highlanders taking the stockade

Color photogravure after Berkeley, dated 1898 by artist; close combat between attacking Highlanders and Sudanese in thickets near fort, palm trees in background; small military bust portrait at lower left. Color photogravure after Berkeley, dated 1898 by artist; close combat between attacking Highlanders and Sudanese in thickets near fort, palm trees in background; small military bust portrait at lower left. Giant oblong folio; margins intact; marginal tears. London, Parker Gallery, 1965.

At the Suresnes Ball

At the Suresnes Ball

Brown University

Color plate after Derain; soldier dancing with woman, three other soldiers watching in background. From painting dated 1903 in the Saint Louis Art Museum. During the period of the painting, Derain was doing his military service at the Commercy Barracks in the Vosges. 'The lanky artilleryman in the center background is a portrait of the painter himself and is said to be an excellent likeness at the age of twenty-three' (Art News, Vol. XLIV, No. 3, March 15-31, 1945, page 8) Color plate after Derain; soldier dancing with woman, three other soldiers watching in background. From painting dated 1903 in the Saint Louis Art Museum. During the period of the painting, Derain was doing his military service at the Commercy Barracks in the Vosges. 'The lanky artilleryman in the center background is a portrait of the painter himself and is said to be an excellent likeness at the age of twenty-three' (Art News, Vol. XLIV, No. 3, March 15-31, 1945, page 8) Small upright folio; margins intact; clean.

At the battle of Waterloo a Serjeant of the Coldstream obtained Permission to leave the ranks for a few minutes, He f...

Colored lithograph by and after Lord, printed by St. Marc Gazeau & Comie., dated 1821 by artist; soldier carrying wounded comrade from burning building, battle in progress in background. Colored lithograph by and after Lord, printed by St. Marc Gazeau & Comie., dated 1821 by artist; soldier carrying wounded comrade from burning building, battle in progress in background. Oblong folio, matted; margins intact; worn. London, Parker Gallery, 1953.

At Rest in the Barracks

At Rest in the Barracks

Brown University

Two servicemen are shown resting in the corner of their barracks. Light filters through multipane windows behind them. Signed and dated. Two servicemen are shown resting in the corner of their barracks. Light filters through multipane windows behind them. Signed and dated. Gold was inducted into the U.S. Army in May 1942, and was selected by the War Department Art Advisory Committee to serve as a war artist in Europe. Assigned to the Historical Branch, ETO, he traveled through the United Kingdom, France and Germany. His work also appeared in Yank magazine.

At Neuve Chapelle: Your friends need you. Be a man

Lithograph printed by Brangwyn; combat scene of artillery unit under fire, officer looking toward left through field glasses, crouching soldier gesturing for help, howitzer and other soldiers in background. Lithograph printed by Brangwyn; combat scene of artillery unit under fire, officer looking toward left through field glasses, crouching soldier gesturing for help, howitzer and other soldiers in background. Large square folio; margins trimmed; clean.

At home - Camp Howze, Texas 1943

Original pencil sketch signed and dated by Chapman; soldiers in bunk room crowded with beds, trunks, etc., reading, writing letters, resting. Original pencil sketch signed and dated by Chapman; soldiers in bunk room crowded with beds, trunks, etc., reading, writing letters, resting. 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.

At fifty two he quits the Lancers and joins a corps of quadrille dancers!!

Hand-colored etched caricature; rear view of Duke of Sussex, in uniform, advancing towards young woman dancing partner. Hand-colored etched caricature; rear view of Duke of Sussex, in uniform, advancing towards young woman dancing partner. Upright; plate mark, margins intact; slightly creased and yellowed. N.Y., Walter Schatzki, 1964.

At ease

At ease

Brown University

Original pencil drawing by Karl Rittmann; seated soldier with folded hands on lap. Censor's stamp on verso Original pencil drawing by Karl Rittmann; seated soldier with folded hands on lap. Censor's stamp on verso Gift of Larry Rittman, 2021 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/)

At bay

At bay

Brown University

Color plate after G.W. Peters; wounded infantryman crouched in rocks firing pistol at advancing Boer attackers. Color plate after G.W. Peters; wounded infantryman crouched in rocks firing pistol at advancing Boer attackers. For 1903 Smith & Wesson advertisement: 'Cheaply made revolvers may be all right to look at, but when it comes to a question of "My life or his" the revolver needed is the Smith & Wesson...' [See Country Life in America, July 1903, page 219 for advertisement for color print] Charleston, S.C., Schindler, 1952.

At an Airfield in Northern Ireland '44

A group of airmen work on a fighter plane on an airfield. A group of airmen work on a fighter plane on an airfield. Gold was inducted into the U.S. Army in May 1942, and was selected by the War Department Art Advisory Committee to serve as a war artist in Europe. Assigned to the Historical Branch, ETO, he traveled through the United Kingdom, France and Germany. His work also appeared in Yank magazine. Gift of the artist, 1994.

Assortment of artillery equipment

17th of 38 engravings of artillery weapons, etc., from Fronsperger; ammunition or gunpowder barrels and artillery equipment. 17th of 38 engravings of artillery weapons, etc., from Fronsperger; ammunition or gunpowder barrels and artillery equipment. Folio; most engravings yellowed or trimmed close. Leichtenstein-Hauslab Collection, 1951. title provided by cataloger

Assieds-toi sur mes genoux, tu ne gêneras personne

Aquatint; assembly at court, Napoleon consoling Stephanie of Baden to sit on his knee after being humiliated by Princess Murat, men and women looking on. Aquatint; assembly at court, Napoleon consoling Stephanie of Baden to sit on his knee after being humiliated by Princess Murat, men and women looking on. Small oblong folio; margins; slightly soiled.

Assez cause! On va se refraichir d'un coup de sabre

29th in collection of 91 lithographic plates by Villain and Gihaut frères after Charlet; young cadet taking down hat from hook on wall at left, 3 older soldiers standing to his right. 29th in collection of 91 lithographic plates by Villain and Gihaut frères after Charlet; young cadet taking down hat from hook on wall at left, 3 older soldiers standing to his right. In blue cloth case, blue leather stamped gold "Lithographs by Charlet". New York, Walter Schatzki, 1965.

Assemblage of Ghoorkas

Assemblage of Ghoorkas

Brown University

Color aquatint by Havell, after Fraser, published March 1, 1820; Indian infantry being assembled near pile of weapons in mountains; wooden stockade in middle distance, fort of Raeengurh on top of crag in right distance. Color aquatint by Havell, after Fraser, published March 1, 1820; Indian infantry being assembled near pile of weapons in mountains; wooden stockade in middle distance, fort of Raeengurh on top of crag in right distance. From 'Views in the Himala Mountains', plate XIV N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1965. title provided by cataloger

Assedio di Valencena sotto Margarita Duchessa di Parma. 1567

One of a collection of 21 etched plates of battle and siege scenes (after Baur). 'Stylised representation of the besieging forces at Valenciennes, between walled town in background and encampment in foreground' -- British Museum. One of a collection of 21 etched plates of battle and siege scenes (after Baur). 'Stylised representation of the besieging forces at Valenciennes, between walled town in background and encampment in foreground' -- British Museum. Folio, margins trimmed close, mounted on tan paper, slightly soiled, unbound; in tan cloth portfolio stamped gold.

Assedio di Tolone. Bonaparte Incaricato della Direzione dell' Artiglieria Spiega ai Rappresentanti del Popolo il suo ...

Colored lithograph printed by Bianchi, numbered 3; Bonaparte talking with military and civil officers and pointing, kneeling soldier with unfolded map at right. Colored lithograph printed by Bianchi, numbered 3; Bonaparte talking with military and civil officers and pointing, kneeling soldier with unfolded map at right. Oblong, margins; yellowed. London, Parker Gallery, 1951. Title: Assedio di Tolone. Caption: Bonaparte Incaricato della Direzione dell' Artiglieria Spiega ai Rappresentanti del Popolo il suo Piano d'Attaco e li fa Marvigliare. Caption: Lith. Bianchi Number: 3

Assaut et Prise de Bomarsund, le 15 Aout 1854

Colored lithograph, numbered 8; French soldiers in center storming cliff, explosion in right background. Colored lithograph, numbered 8; French soldiers in center storming cliff, explosion in right background. Oblong medium folio, matted; margins intact; margins worn and soiled. title: Assult et Prise de Bomarsund, le 15 Aout 1854. title: Sturm und Einnahme von Bomarsund, den 15ten August 1854. title: Bomarsund taken bÿ assult, August 15th 1854. caption: Eigenthum, Druck und Verlag von Joseph Scholz in Mainz. number: No. 8.

Assaut donné au Bastion 8: Siège de Rome, 30 Juin 1849, deux heures du matin

Soldiers advancing through breach in wall Soldiers advancing through breach in wall Sub-title reads: "Cette dernière action, due a la cooperation rapide et bien combinée des deux colonnes d'attaque, sous la direction du Lieutenant-Colonel Espinasse, du 22ème Leger, nous rendit tout à fait maîtres du Bastion 8." From Raffet's Souvenirs d'Italie, 1849

Assaut de Zaatcha

Assaut de Zaatcha

Brown University

Original watercolor signed by Gobaut; troops attacking and destroying Moslem fortress of Zaatcha in 1849. Original watercolor signed by Gobaut; troops attacking and destroying Moslem fortress of Zaatcha in 1849. Oblong, mounted on white board; no margins; clean. London, Redfern, 1955.

Assault on the Citadel of Saint-Quentin, 1557

Engraving (proof before letters by Tortorel and Perissin, from 'Recueil d'stampes historiques'); soldiers pouring across bridge and moat, storming fortress of walled city which is partly afire in right background. Engraving (proof before letters by Tortorel and Perissin, from 'Recueil d'stampes historiques'); soldiers pouring across bridge and moat, storming fortress of walled city which is partly afire in right background. Oblong folio, matted; margins trimmed close. N.Y., Rockman Prints Title supplied by cataloger

Assault on Monte Cassino

Original watercolor signed and dated by Sanfilippo; group of infantrymen on bluff in hilly landscape, in aftermath of combat, resting, comforting each other, talking. Original watercolor signed and dated by Sanfilippo; group of infantrymen on bluff in hilly landscape, in aftermath of combat, resting, comforting each other, talking. Oblong folio, matted; no margins; clean. title provided by cataloger

Aspromonte: Garibaldi ordering his troops not to fire

View of Garibaldi at Aspromonte, Italy prior to the Battle of Aspromonte during which the Royal Italian Army defeated Garibaldi. View of Garibaldi at Aspromonte, Italy prior to the Battle of Aspromonte during which the Royal Italian Army defeated Garibaldi. Published in Illustrated Times, September 20, 1862, vol. 1, p. 329.

Aspern am 21. May 1858

Aspern am 21. May 1858

Brown University

One of a pair of tinted lithograph plates by A. Strassgschwandtner after Warmuth von Schlachtfeld, printed by Reiffenstein und Rosch; view of restored church with religious ceremony of commemoration, attended by troops, taking place in foreground. One of a pair of tinted lithograph plates by A. Strassgschwandtner after Warmuth von Schlachtfeld, printed by Reiffenstein und Rosch; view of restored church with religious ceremony of commemoration, attended by troops, taking place in foreground. Large oblong folio; margins intact; clean; from Leichtenstein-Hauslab collection. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1954.

Aspern am 21. May 1809

Aspern am 21. May 1809

Brown University

One of a pair of tinted lithograph plates by A. Strassgschwandtner after Warmuth von Schlactenfeld, printed by Reiffenstein und Rosch; view of battle beside church, which is damaged and burning. One of a pair of tinted lithograph plates by A. Strassgschwandtner after Warmuth von Schlactenfeld, printed by Reiffenstein und Rosch; view of battle beside church, which is damaged and burning. Large oblong folio; margins intact; clean; from Leichtenstein-Hauslab collection. N.Y., Rockman Prints, 1954.

Asleep in position

Asleep in position

Brown University

A close-up view of a Marine asleep while sitting up, his helmet lying in the foreground. A close-up view of a Marine asleep while sitting up, his helmet lying in the foreground. Title from typed label affixed to verso. Reeks joined the USMC in 1941 and saw action on Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Bougainville and Saipan. He was the only official combat artist to land on Iwo Jima with the invasion force and spent thirty days on the island sketching the campaign.