Otto - Pritzker Military Museum & Library - Chicago, Illinois, USA

Username: Otto
Postmark: 19 January 2017
From: Pritzker Military Museum & Library - Chicago, Illinois, USA

I previously wrote in my Logbook about my recent visit to Chicago's Pritzker Military Museum & Library. While there I was able to see the impressive oil painting by James Dietz entitled "The Crossing: The 132nd Infantry Regiment at Guagalcanal". I took the opportunity to get a postcard and send it off from a mailbox right around the corner from the painting that inspired the card.





In case you didn't see my log entry, I'm including a photo I took of the original piece of art on the same day I sent the postcard.


Remember to check the WW2 Forums/Forces Postal Service Map for a look at our growing list of all WW2F/FPS submissions.

 

Thanks to O.M.A. who reported the broken link for the image. It has now been corrected.

 

In general, I don't really like the in-action-dramatic-fight-scene type paintings. To me a scene like this one of men moving out against an unseen enemy is much more dramatic and ominous despite the lack of gunfire. Dietz also does a great job of conveying a soldier realistically. In WWII these troops are generally lanky and weathered, and some historical artists apply a bit too much muscle and heroic stature to their soldiers. This group of grunts are are haggard and visibly tired. It's nice to see the original piece "in the flesh" as it is 6 feet wide or so, so your field of view is fully consumed if you are standing in front of it.

A really nice work of art.