| William James Aylward | |
|---|---|
 Aylward in 1918 | |
| Born | William James Aylward (1875-09-05)September 5, 1875 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US |
| Died | February 26, 1956(1956-02-26) (aged 80) |
| Known for | Illustration |
William James Aylward (September 5, 1875 – February 26, 1956) was a war artist for the United States Army during World War I.
Biography
Aylward was born September 5, 1875, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and developed an early interest in things nautical because his father built and owned Great Lakes ships. Much of the work from his early career reflects that influence. He studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago, at the Art Students' League in New York City, and with several artists in Europe. Like some of the other future official World War I combat artists, he studied with the famous illustrator and teacher, Howard Pyle.
Aylward began his professional career by writing and illustrating 18th century marine history for magazines such as Harper's and Scribner's. His artwork also appeared in illustrated editions of Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas and Jack London's The Sea-Wolf. He combined his interest in the sea and his abilities as an illustrator to produce advertisements featuring nautical themes. In addition to his proficiency as an illustrator, Aylward was an award-winning artist and received a number of prestigious prizes such as the Salmagundi Club's Shaw Purchase Prize and the Philadelphia Color Club's Beck Prize for his work before the war.
During the war Aylward concentrated his efforts on recording the activities of the ports and transportation systems developed to support industrial warfare. Some of his best wartime work was done at the port of Marseilles after the armistice when he had the time to paint in some detail. Following the war, he exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1924 and the National Academy of Design in 1925. He died February 26, 1956, and is buried in Bath National Cemetery, Bath, New York.
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Portrait of Captain William J. Aylward, 1917
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World War I Doughboys and US Army trucks on the move.
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World War I doughboy looking at the grave of a fallen comrade.
See also
References
- Janet Hodges. World War I Combat Artists – William James Aylward, The Unwritten Record: Exploring History with the National Archives' Special Media Division
- Southwest Harbor Public Library
This article incorporates public domain material from William James Aylward. United States Army Center of Military History.
External links
- W. J. Aylward at Library of Congress, with 6 library catalog records
| American Expeditionary Force Artists from the United States Army Art Program | |
|---|---|
- United States Army artists
- 1875 births
- 1956 deaths
- 20th-century American illustrators
- 20th-century American painters
- American male painters
- Artists from Milwaukee
- Art Students League of New York alumni
- United States Army personnel of World War I
- United States Army officers
- World War I artists
- 20th-century American male artists