Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

photos taken by Houston local Phyllis Hand




Last weekend, museum educator Margeret Mims introduced us to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston by offering an elegant explanation of the relationship between war and art.

I’m glad that after a string of military venues in the nor’east, I could present in a presitigious art institution. I know far more about art than war. But then what exactly does that mean? As Mims pointed out, the subject of war has always been explored through art. When I was a political science major during my first year of college in Madrid, Spain, I spent a lot of time with the Goya collection. I also appreciate contemporary portrayals of war done by artists like Omar Fast.

It was also interesting to be moderated by well-known sports caster, Craig Roberts. Sports, war, and art--excellent combo.


Roberts shared a hilarious tale about his father serving in WWII. When the war ended, he had told all of his school friends in Minnesota that his father had killed Hitler WITH A TORPEDO and, thus, ended the war. Too bad I didn’t get that story!

That would make an interesting book--childhood remembrances of World War II.

One veteran I was especially pleased to talk about during this event was Sam Fink.

Fink is the only “Army Artist.” He was stationed in Italy right after the war ended in Europe. Once Colonel Jim Tyler noticed Fink’s talent he ensure the army generously commisioned him to draw:

All the men were heading home, and because this Tyler liked me, as soon as a guy left, I’d get promoted. Tyler would say, “Fink, this guy’s going home. You’re going to be a corporal tomorrow.” Two stripes sewed on. Raise in pay—$21 to $45 a month. Eventually, I wore six stripes a master sergeant and was paid $200 a month—which I sent home to my wife.