Since ancient times; wars have inspired artists and their patrons to commemorate victories. When the United States finally entered World War I; American artists and illustrators were commissioned to paint and draw it. These artistsrsquo; commissions; however; were as captains for their patron: the U.S. Army. The eight menmdash;William J. Aylward; Walter J. Duncan; Harvey T. Dunn; George M. Harding; Wallace Morgan; Ernest C. Peixotto; J. Andre Smith; and Harry E. Townsentmdash;arrived in France early in 1918 with the American Expeditionary forces (AEF). Alfred Emile Cornebise presents here the first comprehensive account of the U.S. Army art program in World War I. The AEF artists saw their role as one of preserving images of the entire aspect of American involvement in a way that photography could not. Unsure of what to do with these official artists; AEF leadership in France issues passes that allowed them relative freedom to move about; sketching as they went and finding supplies and lodgings where they could. But the bureaucratic confusion over the artistsrsquo; mission soon created controversy in Washington. The army brass there was dismayed at the slow trickle of art coming in and at some of the bucolic; behind-the-lines scenes; which held little promise as dramatic magazine illustrations or propaganda.The Armistice came only a matter of months after the American Artists arrived in France; and they marched into the Rhineland with the American occupation forces; sketching along the way. Soon returning to France the artists went into separate studios to finish their works; but the army hurriedly discharged them and they were civilian artists once more. The author conducted research for this book in the World War I army records in the National Archives; as well as the collections of the Smithsonian Institution; and others throughout the country. The sixty-six black-and-white pictures reproduced here are some of the approximately five hundred pieces of official AEF combat art; which shortly after the war were turned over to the Smithsonian Institution; where most of them remain.
#2130863 in eBooks 2014-12-22 2014-12-22File Name: B00R7OVD08
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great beautiful book with lovely photos.By BHI really love this book. I purchased it because I read an article about it in a photo magazine and wanted to know more. Elizabeth Messinas work is beautiful and classy and Ive admired it for some time. I enjoy collecting interesting photo books of all types and wanted to add this one to my collection. The portraits throughout are really great. I love the snippets of information she gives about each one. Now mind you; if you are looking for a photo book thats very detailed about shooting information; camera info; lighting; settings; etc. this is not it. Ill tell you now; for the most part she shoots film at F2 or F4 at 1/60th. This book is about learning to see the light; to study it; to get comfortable in all types of light and practice lots so that when youre out there; you know what to do and you understand your tools well. Its more of an intro to how she thinks when shes at a shoot. She covers some important aspects to take into consideration but it is not a super detailed technical book. For me; its exactly what I had expected. Beautiful photographs with a little background on each one and glimpses of what goes on in Messinas mind. If this sounds interesting to you then youll probably love it!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great inspirational read...like an afternoon discussion with an old friend.By Steph.Im a professional photographer and bought this book for the purposes of seeing a great shoot through someone elses eyes. For me; it delivered marvelously. You see; in reading this book; I listen to someone who loves light; beauty; femininity; details; and photography. She talked about what called her to take certain images and what elements drew her to a certain shot. I absolutely loved this book. It read like an afternoon coffee discussion; not an instructional how-to book. This is the best book Ive purchased on photography because it talked neutrally; positively; inspiringly; and casually. My second favorite book would be Jose Villas book. I find that so many books talk down to the reader (or appear to) due to their instructional matter-of-fact tone. Its not that they dont have their place; those books are good for new learners. But Messinas gentle tone and benefit-of-the doubt level of detail were perfect to me. Id highly recommend this book for photographers looking to have a good "chat" with another professional. Ive read it twice and enjoyed it both times.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Luminous portraiture explainedBy Christopher N YoungGreat book and an easy read if you understand exposure and exposure compensation. Ill likely reread this book to go over some finer points and techniques again. Its a keeper. Messina is primarily a natural light photographer who shoots film but her techniques are easily understood in the digital world. Light is light and knowing your camera and how it responds to light and how to compensate for its metering is key in going for that luminous look. The book is nicely printed with numerous photos taken by Messina with the camera settings explaining her exposure settings. She covers more than the luminosity techniques and also delves into some photography basics and equipment suggestions. A good exposure is the goal of every shot but tweaking your exposure to slightly over expose for luminous photos is a purposeful rule bending technique. You buy this book to understand how to make your photos take on a luminous quality as part of your repertoire /style that has become so popular in portrait photography. If its not your style you may have a client that requests that luminous look in their portraits so having this book as a part of your photography library is a great choice!
