Charles Waterhouse (artist)
Encyclopedia
Charles Waterhouse is an American
painter
, illustrator
and sculptor
renowned for using United States Marine Corps
historical themes as the motif for his works. His art spans subjects from Tun Tavern
, the birthplace of the U. S. Marines to present day topics.
in the 5th Marine Division from 1943–1946 and landed on Iwo Jima
during the Pacific campaign
of World War II
. During the battle, he sustained wounds as a result of enemy action and subsequently received the Purple Heart
medal. Despite nerve damage to his left hand from injuries to his neck and shoulder, Waterhouse formally studied art after the war at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts
in New Jersey
and graduated in 1950. During the Vietnam War
, he served three tours in Vietnam
as a civilian combat artist
. While participating in a Bicentennial project for the Marine Corps History Division
, he received a commission as a major
in the Marine Reserves. In 1992, the Marines awarded Waterhouse the title "USMC Artist in Residence", thus becoming the first and only person to earn such recognition. At the same time, the Marines promoted him to colonel
and he retired at that rank.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
and sculptor
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
renowned for using United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
historical themes as the motif for his works. His art spans subjects from Tun Tavern
Tun Tavern
Tun Tavern was a tavern in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which served as a founding or early meeting place for a number of notable groups. It is traditionally regarded as the site where the United States Marine Corps held its first recruitment drive...
, the birthplace of the U. S. Marines to present day topics.
Life
Charles Waterhouse served as a Private First ClassPrivate First Class
Private First Class is a military rank held by junior enlisted persons.- Singapore :The rank of Private First Class in the Singapore Armed Forces lies between the ranks of Private and Lance-Corporal . It is usually held by conscript soldiers midway through their national service term...
in the 5th Marine Division from 1943–1946 and landed on Iwo Jima
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima , or Operation Detachment, was a major battle in which the United States fought for and captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Empire of Japan. The U.S...
during the Pacific campaign
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. During the battle, he sustained wounds as a result of enemy action and subsequently received the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
medal. Despite nerve damage to his left hand from injuries to his neck and shoulder, Waterhouse formally studied art after the war at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts
Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts
Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts was a city-run vocational and art school in Newark, New Jersey. Opened in 1882 as the Evening Drawing School, its name was changed in 1909 to the Fawcett School of Industrial Arts, and changed again in 1928 to the Newark Public School of Fine and...
in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
and graduated in 1950. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, he served three tours in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
as a civilian combat artist
War artist
A war artist depicts some aspect of war through art; this might be a pictorial record or it might commemorate how "war shapes lives." War artists have explored a visual and sensory dimension of war which is often absent in written histories or other accounts of warfare.- Definition and context:A...
. While participating in a Bicentennial project for the Marine Corps History Division
United States Marine Corps History Division
The United States Marine Corps History Division is a branch of Headquarters Marine Corps tasked with researching, writing, and maintaining the History of the United States Marine Corps. It also provides reference and research assistance; preserves personal experiences and observations through oral...
, he received a commission as a major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
in the Marine Reserves. In 1992, the Marines awarded Waterhouse the title "USMC Artist in Residence", thus becoming the first and only person to earn such recognition. At the same time, the Marines promoted him to colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and he retired at that rank.
See also
- National Museum of the Marine CorpsNational Museum of the Marine CorpsThe National Museum of the Marine Corps is the historical museum of the United States Marine Corps. It is located in Quantico, Virginia and is open to the public with free admission. The museum had its grand opening on November 10, 2006 and is now the number one tourist attraction in Virginia,...
(works on display at this museum) - Waterhouse MuseumWaterhouse MuseumThe Waterhouse Museum is located at 17 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey. The museum exhibits art by Colonel Charles Waterhouse, a U. S. Marine veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II...
External links
- Waterhouse Museum (official website)
- USMC Artist Web Site