War Art

[Chas]

It would seem like a good idea for folks to post their recommendations for sites that have excellent examples of war art.

I have one that I particularly like, and I think it hasn't been well visited- a selection of paintings from the Japanese artist & IJN veteran Takeshi Yuki. Some of them are the best seascapes I've ever seen.

IJN War Art

 

[MisterCairo]

Here's a google page of Canadian war art from the Boer War to Afghanistan. Some striking, and often weird, images:

http://www.google.ca/search?q=canad...v&sa=X&ei=tmwTTrSUPKSnsAKfke3UDw&ved=0CDsQsAQ

 

[The Lonely Navigator]

This one is my favorite: Wehrkunst - German Navy

 

[Bingo]

I like the work of Michael Turner. Here are some examples. http://www.military-art.com/mall/artist.php?ArtistID=11
This is a good aviation art site http://www.aviation-art-world.com/index.html

 

[Heeresbergführer]

Servus Kriegsmalers,

Here are a few wartime pieces that I have in my collection from German War Artist Joseph Buchty:

Kriegsmaler vor!

Patrick

 

[AmateisGal]

There was a PBS show on some years ago about combat artists of World War II.

http://www.pbs.org/theydrewfire/

I contacted one of them, Ed Reep, who is still alive and living in California. He wrote me back a lovely letter and it's one of my treasured items.

This one, by Howard Brodie, has always hit me square in the chest. It's a remarkable piece of art.

EDIT: ARGH! I can't get it to upload.

You can see it here:
http://www.pbs.org/theydrewfire/gallery/large/076.html

 

[The Lonely Navigator]

Re Patrick: That artwork you have reminded me of the Willrich drawings:

http://www.uboat.net/gallery/IllustrationsA/

http://www.uboat.net/gallery/IllustrationsA/photo/13

 

[dr greg]

This guy is considered our finest, I've loved his work for 50 years or so now
http://illustrationart.blogspot.com/2005/12/ivor-hele-great-war-illustrator.html

 

[Story]

Many people know Joe Farris as a cartoonist for The New Yorker. But thanks to a wonderful new book, we’re also getting to know him as a young soldier, and artist, fighting in a machine gun unit in Europe during World War II. The book is called “A Soldier’s Sketchbook: From The Front Lines Of World War II.”

http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/01/03/world-war-scrapbook

 

[DNO]

if you're in the market for a book or two, there's The Canvas of War about the Canadian war artist program in World Wars One and Two (actually the program is still running with artists producing images in Afghanistan).

In addition, one of the more notable war artists wrote a book about his wartime experiences in 1956 called Artist at War.
His name was Charles Comfort...here's one of his paintings (Canadian armour in Ortona):

 

[DNO]

Just found a site with art regarding the Royal Canadian Navy:

http://www.warmuseum.ca/cwm/exhibitions/navy/galery_themes-e.aspx?section=3-A-2&id=4&cluster=&title=

 

[p51]

Okay, not exactly original war art, but I’ve done all these at re-enactment events (or from sketches made there).

I also sketched a lot from when I was active duty Army, I really should dig those drawings out someday…

 

[Story]

The art works, which Hitler bought in Germany during the Second World War, had been moved to Czechoslovakia after it was occupied by the Nazis to prevent them being damaged by Allied attacks. On Monday, author Jiri Kuchar put seven of the paintings on display for reporters at the convent in Doksany in northern Czech Republic where he had identified them. Today, he said, they are probably worth about 50 million koruna ($2.7 million).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...ers-art-collection-goes-on-show-in-Czech.html

 

[Spitfire]

I think Eric Kennington, UK is a fantastic artist. Joined up in WWI - did great paintings there, later to be the "official war artist" of WWII.
He's not only a painter but also a sculpture. Unfortunately I had no luck finding one website dedicated to his works - but try a google.
You will not be disappointed. (Just ordered his book: "The Face of Courage" - with portraits of UK soldiers, airmen and sailors. Can't wait to see it!)

Just to give you an idea:

 

[Smithy]

Good call Søren. I'm a great fan of Kennington. He painted one of my favourite war portraits, that of Marius Eriksen, the Norwegian Spitfire ace from 332 Sqn:

 

[Spitfire]

Just like he did this one of one of my favorite pilots from The Battle of France and The Battle of Britain: Albert Gerald Lewis, 85 Squadron/249 Squadron:

 

[Smithy]

That is a goodie mate.

Actually Søren may I ask a favour? Can you let me know if the book you're getting has the Eriksen portrait in colour? It was painted in colour but the version I have and posted above is from Marius' autobiography and is only reproduced in black and white.

Takk og hils til Dorthe og familien!

 

[Spitfire]

You got it, ol boy.
I'll be happy to check it out for you, as soon as I get the book. And if it's in there, I'll mail you a scan/jpg.

The above of Lewis is in the book from 1942 "Drawing the RAF" - bought it second hand a year ago. Some great pieces of art - mostly charcoal and pencil - but a few oil portraits as well. Together with a short description of each pilot and airman.

 

[Smithy]

Cheers! I owe you a pint when we're next back in KBH

 

[Spitfire]

Now in color! Scan under way in e-mail. (pdf) Cheers!