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Sketches by Elizabeth Black

November 10, 2013 7:45AM ET

The artist at work, plus a sampling of the approximately 1000 portraits she made in WWII Europe

Topics:
Culture
Veterans
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An American Red Cross photo shows Black sketching troops in England in 1944.
An American Red Cross photo shows Black sketching troops in England in 1944. Margaret Karch Zaimes/American Red Cross
This photograph of Joe Nemetz's portrait was found in Black's footlocker. The original had never reached his family, so the documentary producers and Black's son John were able to present it to his widow and children now in suburban Philadelphia.
This photograph of Joe Nemetz's portrait was found in Black's footlocker. The original had never reached his family, so the documentary producers and Black's son John were able to present it to his widow and children now in suburban Philadelphia.
Frank Clark's portrait had also been lost in the mail and was delivered to him and his wife in Beaver, Penn.
Frank Clark's portrait had also been lost in the mail and was delivered to him and his wife in Beaver, Penn. Elizabeth Black
A photographic copy of the portrait of Leon Johnson, whose drawing was produced in January 1944. Black drew the enlisted and the officers alike.
A photographic copy of the portrait of Leon Johnson, whose drawing was produced in January 1944. Black drew the enlisted and the officers alike. Elizabeth Black
Black asked each portrait subject to sign her notebook and many of them left poems and personal messages.
Black asked each portrait subject to sign her notebook and many of them left poems and personal messages. Elizabeth Black
This image of Fred Harper has been cherished by his family for decades. He was killed in action shortly after the sketch was done.
This image of Fred Harper has been cherished by his family for decades. He was killed in action shortly after the sketch was done. Elizabeth Black
Mary Louis "Lulu'' Weller, from Oriskany, N.Y., was one of the few women Black sketched.
Mary Louis "Lulu'' Weller, from Oriskany, N.Y., was one of the few women Black sketched. Elizabeth Black
A portrait of Philip Fouch from Detroit, completed in January 1945. Black would continue drawing until April of that year.
A portrait of Philip Fouch from Detroit, completed in January 1945. Black would continue drawing until April of that year. Elizabeth Black
More pages from Black's notebooks, which turned into a valuable record of both the war and her work.
More pages from Black's notebooks, which turned into a valuable record of both the war and her work. Elizabeth Black
The producers of the documentary were able to track down the daughter of Leopold Koppel, pictured here in a sketch. Betty Houston, in Irwin, Penn., told producers she remembers when the sketch arrived. It has been on display on her wall for decades.
The producers of the documentary were able to track down the daughter of Leopold Koppel, pictured here in a sketch. Betty Houston, in Irwin, Penn., told producers she remembers when the sketch arrived. It has been on display on her wall for decades. Elizabeth Black
A sketch of Murray Goldman, who must have won the lottery staged at each camp to determine who would "sit" for Black.
A sketch of Murray Goldman, who must have won the lottery staged at each camp to determine who would "sit" for Black. Elizabeth Black
Edwin Kress, from Yates Center, Kan., pictured here. Black would draw up to a dozen such portraits each day.
Edwin Kress, from Yates Center, Kan., pictured here. Black would draw up to a dozen such portraits each day. Elizabeth Black
Black at work: She would draw nearly 1,000 portraits in little under a year. She almost always drew an audience of onlookers as well.
Black at work: She would draw nearly 1,000 portraits in little under a year. She almost always drew an audience of onlookers as well. John Black
Floyd Blakely, who listed his hometown as Columbus, Ohio. At some point during her "portrait service'' mission, Black decided to make photographic copies of her sketches.
Floyd Blakely, who listed his hometown as Columbus, Ohio. At some point during her "portrait service'' mission, Black decided to make photographic copies of her sketches. Elizabeth Black
Sailor leon Bosteels in a sketch dated 1944. Black worked quickly, often completing a charcoal work in 40 minutes. She has been called an "unsung hero" of World War II.
Sailor leon Bosteels in a sketch dated 1944. Black worked quickly, often completing a charcoal work in 40 minutes. She has been called an "unsung hero" of World War II. Elizabeth Black