Artist Soldiers
Work Done by the AEF
By: Micah Rowe
The AEF
The AEF (American Expeditionary Forces) was a formation of the U.S. Army in Western France during World War 1. The War Department sent over a group of 8 artists with the purpose of creating a historical record of the war as well as inspiring the American people. The artists where made captains and had full control over the Engineer Reserve Corps to go where ever they wanted.
Whats the Purpose?
World War 1 was the first time the U.S. Army officially employed artists. However, the artists were not brought over simply to document the fighting, but also to advertise the war effort and inspire Americans. Meant to inspire, the work done by the artists of the AEF was influenced by the government and could be considered propaganda.
“When a war poses for its picture, it leaves to the artist the selection of the attitude in which the artist may desire to draw it. And this attitude is the artist’s point of view circum- scribed by the boundaries of his ability and the nature of the work for which his training and practice have fitted him.”