Art of the American Soldier Art of the American Soldier - US Army ...

16
The Camel and the Eagle by Peter G. Varisano
Saudi Arabia, February 1991
Watercolor on paper
Artist’s notes on reverse of painting:
Soldier finished MOUT [military operations
in urban terrain] training in Northern Saudi
desert.
IN THE ARTIST’S OWN WORDS
This title refers to the eagle patch
on the shoulder of the soldier. He
is in the 101st Air Assault Division
better known, off the record,
as the “Screaming Eagles.” We
were following this soldier’s unit
when we walked up on a herd of
camels, and the idea stuck with
me of camels and eagles. I also
liked the very strong shadow on
his face cause[d] by the intense
sunlight common in the desert.
—PETER G. VARISANO