Camouflage Today: Current Methods of Protective Concealment, May 2-31, 1944

Sub-Series

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

An exhibition of 25 illustrated panels with photographs, diagrams, and texts plus several models wearing camouflage used by the U.S. military in World War II. The exhibition was designed by Carlos Dyer and prepared for circulation by the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York and the Addison Gallery of American Art in Andover, Massachusetts. This was part of a series of related exhibitions circulated by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, following Britain at War which came to the Legion of Honor in 1942.
The exhibition records span six folders and include a press release, exhibition contract, planning correspondence, general correspondence, registration receipts, and shipping information.

Dates

Creation: May 2-31, 1944

Creator

Dyer, Carlos, 1917-2016 (Arranger, Person)
Pratt Institute (Arranger, Organization)
Addison Gallery of American Art (Arranger, Organization)
Museum of Modern Art (established 1929) (Lender, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

At this time, the exhibition records are unavailable to the public and will only be made available to FAMSF staff upon request.

Biographical / Historical

With the emergence of machine guns, trench warfare and aerial photography, major armies worked on developing low-visibility uniforms. The U.S. Army formed a camouflage unit made up of camofleurs–people who were artists and designers in their civilian lives. During World War II, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers experimented with camouflage uniforms in 1940. In 1943, U.S. Marines in the Solomon Islands wore reversible beach/jungle coveralls with green-and-brown "frog" patterns. The Marine Corps soon adopted a two-piece uniform made of the same camouflage material. It also used the frog pattern on helmet covers, ponchos and shelters. In 1944, U.S. troops, especially airborne pathfinder units landing in Normandy, camouflaged their uniforms by painting splotches and stripes on their jumpsuits. By the end of the war, camouflage combat suits lost favor, however.

Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/08/01/history-camouflage-military-united-states/13485491/

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (The exhibition records span six folders.)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Abstract

An exhibition of 25 illustrated panels with photographs, diagrams, and texts plus several models wearing camouflage used by the U.S. military in World War II. The exhibition records span six folders.

Arrangement

The materials are separated by content and type and organized chronologically.

Related Exhibitions

Legion of Honor: Britain at War, Circulated by the Museum of Modern Art (1942)
de Young: Camouflage Models for Civilian Defense by Students of the Jean Turner Art School (1942)