The Human U.S. Shield
Arthur Mole first developed his technique of collective portraiture in a religious context, photographing fellow church members gathered together in the shape of religious symbols. When the United States entered World War I, Mole and his colleague John Thomas turned to patriotic themes. They choreographed thousands of soldiers into formations such as the Liberty Bell and the Statue of Liberty. Their largest production was the U.S. Human Shield, photographed at Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan, which comprised 30,000 men.
Artwork Details
- Title: The Human U.S. Shield
- Artist: Mole and Thomas (American, active 1915–1921)
- Artist: Arthur S. Mole (American (born England), 1889–1983)
- Artist: John D. Thomas (American, died 1947)
- Date: 1918
- Medium: Gelatin silver print
- Dimensions: 32.5 x 26.4 cm (12 13/16 x 10 3/8 in.)
- Classification: Photographs
- Credit Line: Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987
- Object Number: 1987.1100.478
- Rights and Reproduction: © Mole & Thomas 1918
- Curatorial Department: Photographs
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