Skip to main content

Primary sourcePhotograph1918

Woodrow Wilson Portrait Formed by Soldiers, Camp Sherman

Arthur Samuel Mole · 1918

An aerial photograph of a giant living portrait of Woodrow Wilson formed by 21,000 soldiers at Camp Sherman, Ohio, in 1918.

Thousands of soldiers formed this giant image of Wilson's likeness, showing his symbolic role as wartime commander-in-chief.

Ask Woodrow Wilson about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Aerial photograph of thousands of soldiers arranged in formation on a field to form a giant portrait of Woodrow Wilson in profile. Tents and barracks sit at the top right. Handwritten signature 'Sincerely yours, Woodrow Wilson' and caption text appear at lower left.
Arthur Samuel Mole, Woodrow Wilson Portrait formed by 21,000 soldiers, Camp Sherman, Ohio, 1918.

About this source

What it is

This photograph, taken in 1918 by Arthur Samuel Mole, shows an enormous image of Woodrow Wilson's profile created by arranging about 21,000 soldiers across a field at Camp Sherman, Ohio. The formation stretched over 700 feet.

Why it matters

Taken during the First World War, the photograph shows how mass mobilization and patriotic spectacle were combined for propaganda purposes. It demonstrates the scale of America's wartime army and the way the president's image was used to inspire loyalty among troops.

Look closer

  • Why would a photographer arrange thousands of soldiers to create a portrait instead of simply photographing the president?
  • What does this image suggest about how the military wanted the public to view Wilson during the war?
  • What is left out of this picture about the experiences of the individual soldiers forming the portrait?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Woodrow Wilson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Woodrow Wilson sources

Meet the AI Woodrow Wilson →
Document

Primary source

Covenant of the League of Nations

28 June 1919

Speech

Primary source

Recording of the Voice of Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson · 7 August 1912

Speech

Primary source

League of Nations Address at Pueblo

Woodrow Wilson · 25 September 1919

Black-and-white head-and-shoulders studio portrait of a man in a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, wearing rimless pince-nez glasses, turned to his left against a dark backdrop, with a serious expression.Photograph

Primary source

President Woodrow Wilson Portrait, December 2, 1912

Pach Brothers, New York · 2 December 1912

Black and white photograph of a woman in a dark hat with a fur collar and dark coat, standing outdoors beside a large white banner on a pole. The banner reads 'KAISER WILSON' and includes several lines of text protesting women's lack of self-government. Trees and a fence are behind her.Photograph

Primary source

Kaiser Wilson Suffragette Banner Photograph

Harris & Ewing, Washington, D.C.

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Woodrow Wilson now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions