Benjamin Charles Steele : prisoner of war : an exhibition of eighty drawings and three paintings... / edited, with an introduction by Alan Newbert ; essay by James Todd ; captions by Shirley Steele with Benjamin C. Steele
Title
Benjamin Charles Steele : prisoner of war : an exhibition of eighty drawings and three paintings... / edited, with an introduction by Alan Newbert ; essay by James Todd ; captions by Shirley Steele with Benjamin C. Steele
Subject
Steele, Benjamin Charles.
World War, 1939-1945--Pictorial works--Exhibitions.
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, American--Pictorial works--Exhibitions.
Description
An exhibition catalog which features the drawings of a Montana cowboy who joined the Air Corps to escape the hardship of the Great Depression. He wound up in the Philippines, and was at Clark Field when the war started. He fought in Bataan and became a prisoner of war when Gen. King surrendered.
Although without formal training in drawing, Steele documented what he saw in Clark Field, the Death March, prisoner of war camp life, the Tayabas work detail, and prisoner conditions in Japan. After the war, he painted scenes from memory. Through these drawing and paintings, Steele has left graphic and powerful images which show bravery in action, man’s inhumanity to man, and also man’s descent into primitive life while keeping hope alive.
After the war, he studied art formally and taught at Eastern Montana College, where he donated his works of art. This catalog publishes thirty-one of Steele’s eighty drawings and three paintings. A chronology of Steele’s life and complete listing of his works are appended.
Although without formal training in drawing, Steele documented what he saw in Clark Field, the Death March, prisoner of war camp life, the Tayabas work detail, and prisoner conditions in Japan. After the war, he painted scenes from memory. Through these drawing and paintings, Steele has left graphic and powerful images which show bravery in action, man’s inhumanity to man, and also man’s descent into primitive life while keeping hope alive.
After the war, he studied art formally and taught at Eastern Montana College, where he donated his works of art. This catalog publishes thirty-one of Steele’s eighty drawings and three paintings. A chronology of Steele’s life and complete listing of his works are appended.
Creator
Steele, Benjamin Charles
Publisher
Billings, Mont. : Dept. of Art, Eastern Montana College, c1986.
Date
1986
Format
23 x 23 cm.
Type
Softbound
Call Number
N 8260 B465 1986
Accession Number
16119
Pagination
viii, 44 p.
Illustration
chiefly ill.
Notes
Exhibition Catalog: 1986
Files
Collection
Citation
Steele, Benjamin Charles, “Benjamin Charles Steele : prisoner of war : an exhibition of eighty drawings and three paintings... / edited, with an introduction by Alan Newbert ; essay by James Todd ; captions by Shirley Steele with Benjamin C. Steele,” FHL-Roderick Hall, accessed October 6, 2026, https://fhl.omeka.net/items/show/471.