DOCUMENTED AND RECORDED IN FINE
ART
The young men of America who
fought the war in Vietnam.
Individuals, their training,
experiences, relating to the Vietnamese, and more
in oils, graphite, ink, casein,
aquarelle and pastels
by Philip Schuyler
In the methods of the old masters
with modern materials.
A story that begins with "THE
FIRST DAY" and ends with "DEATH OF A SOLDIER."
No stranger to combat, Philip
Schuyler was wounded twice in World War II,
then contracted polio
from swamps in
France.
He was eventually flown home on a
litter
and spent years in hospitals.
Mr. Schuyler's first motivation
in recording experiences of the men sent
to serve their country was
to express
appreciation to them in his own unique way.
Closely following that was his
concern for
the loved ones they were leaving behind.
The first dozen major artworks were, therefore, accompanied by plaques
documenting names,
units, dates,
locations and
activities portrayed in each work of art.
These were intended to help the
families
understand
the new lives of their men in
the unfamiliar world of the military. With consideration for historical
significance,
the plaques are reproduced here exactly as they were written at
the time
the artworks were created.
The first twelve artworks are
oils on canvas or
Masonite.
Eighteen smaller
works are in various media.
(To view larger picture with
description click on picture name)
Contact Schuyler Editions for print availability and general information
The following
eighteen works Mr. Schuyler referred to as "graphics" have his notations
on each
work and therefore did
not require further explanation.
Away from combat,
Americans often gave kind responses to needs of Vietnamese civilians.
Building swings and
playing games with children, medics caring for health
and medical needs, and other such responses
benefited both
the civilians and the Americans.
The Story of a Story in Art
Traveling in the Northwest in 1965, artist Philip Schuyler
discovered that the
Army's Fourth Division was headquartered at Fort Lewis, Washington. He had been
a lieutenant in
the Fourth Division during the invasion of France in 1944 and had
served
until he was rendered disabled and sent home.
In a wave of nostalgia he went to visit the Fourth Division at Fort Lewis and discovered
it was preparing for commitment to action. Still unfit for active
duty but having been
a professional artist for many years, he went to
the division's commander,
General Collins,
with a proposal. "I
can't lead them but I will memorialize them in art."
General Collins was pleased.
Mr. Schuyler took up
residence at the Fort Lewis Inn and began the first painting.
Much publicity
followed. The first painting was
exhibited. Then the first three were shown.
Jose Nunez,
curator of the
Washington, D.C. Gallery of Art, declared the works
"modern masterpieces."
The painting "Chaplains" was
the Picture of Honor
at
an exhibition of
religious art in California.
Sergeant Posing for the painting "PHYSICAL FITNESS"
When eleven were
completed they were exhibited at West Point.
The Teamster's Union asked
to
buy the eleven for $250,000
to exhibit
throughout the nation. Mr. Schuyler would not
sell.
He was not finished with the story.
In 1967, with scenes of
induction into the military and training completed
Mr. Schuyler sought
permission to visit
the troops in Vietnam to continue their story.
He was given the designation of
Historian.
His wife was given
permission to accompany him as a journalist.
She would continue
documentation and written descriptions
of the scenes to inform families at home.
At the last minute, with
preparations made
and immunizations
completed,
permission for a
female
journalist was denied.
The artist veteran
alone would be
able to go
to places too difficult and risky
for a woman so she
waited at home like thousands of other women.
Mr. Schuyler collected sketches,
snapshots, data, and samples of many kinds
for reference materials to be
used in the artworks later.
In the Highlands of Vietnam, near
the Laotian border,
he visited a special friend,
Chaplain Howard T. Lee.
They are shown in a picture below,
standing in front of the Chaplain's sand-bagged hut.
Mr. Schuyler and friend,
Chaplain Howard T. Lee
Many stops and visits later, after collecting much more
reference material
and information,
Mr. Schuyler returned home to
continue the story of
our young men in Vietnam.
The series had now grown to 30
pieces of art
portraying their activities.
Artist Schuyler sketching in the field
During the years that followed,
Mr. Schuyler built a Fine Arts Department
at the University of Santa Clara.
After several years his health
began to fail. He died in 1981.
Following his death the collection
languished in storage for many years.
He had never seen his entire series
exhibited together.
Modern technology
of the Internet
has now provided a virtual gallery for the display
of these artworks. At last Mr.
Schuyler's dream is fulfilled - though in a way he would
never have envisioned. They can now
be visited in
the modern day
Museum of
the Internet, on this web site, at any time.
Selected scenes are now available for purchase
and include a pen and ink drawing of "Evacuation of Casualties",
"Night Patrol" in polymer and a
black ink wash of "Army Doctor Examining
Vietnamese Children."
Other
prints will soon be made and will become available as they are produced.
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© 2005 Schuyler Editions, All Rights Reserved
