Merritt Cutler, Original Pen and Ink With Color Wash, Christmas Gift for Gen. Leslie Groves, 1957. Unframed.

Description

Sometimes the story behind the piece is as interesting as the piece itself. A great slice of American history.

The … more Sometimes the story behind the piece is as interesting as the piece itself. A great slice of American history.

The piece itself:
A fine illustration entitled, "Army Field Dress - War of 1812", depicting officers (one on horseback) and soldiers, in period uniform, surrounded by French Matting. Hand colored. Executed on hot pressed illustration board. Pencil lines can still be seen from the initial sketch. Inscribed, "Drawn by Merritt Cutler for his friend Gen. Leslie Groves Christmas 1957". Unframed, but very suitable for framing.

The story:
The artist, Merritt Cutler (1898 - 1987), was an American artist and illustrator. A decorated veteran of WWI, he was a prolific ad illustrator of the 1920's - 1940's and is well known for his food illustrations. He was also a gifted tennis player and won several singles and doubles titles in the 20's and 30's. He later wrote and illustrated a book on tennis in the 1960's. He formed and directed a department at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, which turned out the Camouflage Training Aids and Manuals.

The recipient, General Leslie "Dick" Groves (1896 - 1970) was also a decorated veteran of WWI. Initially a student at MIT, Groves entered West Point in 1916 and graduated in just two years, entering the war with the Corps of Engineers as a second lieutenant in 1918. In 1941, Gen. Groves was appointed to oversee the construction of the Pentagon. He later was appointed to head the Manhattan Project and personally chose Oppenheimer for the project. Groves was most recently portrayed by Matt Damon in the 2023 movie. After military service, Groves became vice president at Sperry Rand and moved to Connecticut. Retiring in 1964, he moved back to DC. "Sept. 28, 1964" is stamped on the back of the piece and is most likely from the time of that move.

The friendship: Two men, of close age, and of similar war experiences somehow met and became friends. At times they shared geography - in 1957, both were living in Connecticut. Groves even played tennis at MIT as a young man. One was an artist, the other an engineer. Right brain, left brain. We'll never know what exactly cemented the bond, but it's interesting to see a token of their friendship. less