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The Hand Grenade

Dunn, Harvey Thomas

A charcoal and pastel drawing on paper of a group of German soldiers attempting to take cover from a hand grenade that has been thrown into the middle of their party. Depicted are five German soldiers wearing dark green uniforms, two with helmets and two with fatigue caps. Two soldiers at right are attempting to dive away from the grenade, while the three other soldiers recoil away from the grenade. The soldier at left is standing against the wall with his hands shielding his face. The grenade is likely an Mk.I Offensive Fragmentation grenade, an Mk.II Defensive Fragmentation grenade, or a French F1 Defensive grenade. It is in the center of the room emitting white smoke but has not yet detonated. The soldiers are in a stone room, possibly a bunker or an "Albri," with an arched doorway which the grenade was thrown through. Signed at bottom left by the artist, "Harvey Dunn, AEF"

Date

ca 1918

Type

Drawing

Medium

charcoal (overall production method/technique)

Department

NMAH

Institution

National Museum of American History

Object number

nmah_447409

Credit

War Department. Historical Branch of the General Staff