Artwork
Ghost of Sergeant Pelly
Ghost of Sergeant Pelly is an ink drawing by George Bellows. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
George Bellows’ 1918 drawing titled Ghost of Sergeant Pelly is executed on wove paper using charcoal, gray wash, graphite applied with brush, and black ink. The work presents a spectral representation of a military figure, rendered in a stark monochrome palette that emphasizes form over color.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on an ethereal silhouette identified as Sergeant Pelly, suggesting a lingering presence or memory of the soldier. By depicting the figure as a ghost, Bellows evokes the lingering psychological impact of war on individuals and the collective consciousness of the era.
Technique & Style
Bellows combines charcoal line work with a gray wash and graphite to create tonal depth, while black ink outlines accentuate key contours. The drawing relies on minimal, fluid lines that convey movement and emotional tension, employing cross‑hatching and wash techniques to model volume without elaborate detail.
Context
Created in the final year of World War I, the piece reflects contemporary preoccupations with loss and the haunting aftermath of conflict. Bellows, known primarily for his urban scenes, turned to this somber subject as part of a broader artistic response to the war’s human cost.
History & Provenance
The work remains catalogued as a drawing by Bellows from 1918; further details of its ownership history are not recorded in the available sources.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
War Series: Gott Strafe, England
War Series: The Charge, Right Detail, first state
The Charge
The Germans Arrive
River-Front
Massacre at Dinant
War Series: The Charge, Left Detail
Initiation in the Frat
War Series: The Bacchanale
Civil War (Scene of the Commune of Paris)
The Case of Sergeant Delaney
War Series: The Charge