Navy Art Collection Branch
Origins and General Information
The Navy Art Collection was created in 1986 when the Navy Chief
of Information (CHINFO) transfered its Combat Art Collection, started in
1941, to the Naval Historical Center's Art Collection, which originated
in 1800 as part of the Navy Department Library. The Navy Art Collection
Branch was formed in 1993 to facilitate its mission, "to collect and
exhibit works of art depicting the history of the Navy and the activities
of men and women in naval service." The Branch produces two or more
exhibits annually that are displayed in the Navy Art
Gallery, has a Traveling Exhibit Program with
14 exhibits available to museums and institutions, and assists researchers
seeking images of naval subjects.
The collection of over 10,000 paintings, prints, drawings, and sculpture
is located at the Navy Art Gallery, Building 67, Washington Navy Yard, Washington,
D.C. It contains depictions of naval ships, personnel, and action from all
eras of U.S. naval history, but due to the operation of the Combat
Art Program, the eras of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War,
and Desert Shield/Storm are particularly well represented. The Navy continues
to send its artists to observe and depict naval subjects that it feels will
be of interest to future generations.
Last update: 1 October 96