Art from the Trenches

Main Themes and Topics

Art from the Trenches by Alfred Emile Cornebise delves into the fascinating history of the U.S. Army art program during World War I. This comprehensive account explores the efforts of eight American artists and illustrators commissioned by the U.S. Army to capture the essence of the war through their art. Cornebise highlights the unique perspectives offered by these artists, who were tasked with portraying American involvement in a way that surpassed the capabilities of contemporary photography. The book also navigates the bureaucratic challenges faced by the artists, emphasizing the controversy surrounding their mission and the resulting artworks.

Writing Style and Tone

The writing style of Alfred Emile Cornebise in Art from the Trenches is scholarly yet accessible, making it suitable for both historians and general readers with an interest in art and military history. Cornebise employs a detailed and thorough approach, drawing upon extensive research from a variety of primary sources, including World War I army records, Smithsonian Institution collections, and more. His tone is informative and engaging, allowing readers to fully appreciate the historical significance and artistic contributions of the AEF artists.

Criticism

While Art from the Trenches is widely appreciated for its detailed research and insightful exploration of the U.S. Army art program, some readers might find the focus on administrative and bureaucratic aspects less compelling. The book sometimes shifts its focus towards the controversies and operational challenges of the program, which may not appeal to those primarily interested in the artistic output and techniques of the AEF artists. However, this facet provides a balanced understanding of the context in which these artworks were created.

Brief Summary

Alfred Emile Cornebise's Art from the Trenches offers the first comprehensive study of the American Expeditionary Forces' (AEF) artists in World War I. The narrative follows eight commissioned artists who ventured into the war zones of France in 1918 to document American military involvement. Despite the bureaucratic confusion and the brief period before the Armistice, these artists succeeded in creating images that provided an alternative narrative to photography. Their work often captured the behind-the-scenes human elements of war, offering a broad and nuanced portrayal of the American wartime experience. The book includes sixty-six black-and-white reproductions of some of the approximately five hundred pieces of official AEF combat art, many of which are housed in the Smithsonian Institution.