Sketches And Paintings ‘From The Front Lines Of WWII’

BROOKFIELD CENTER — Acclaimed cartoonist and illustrator Joseph Farris of Bethel, who worked for many years for The New Yorker magazine, will conduct a book signing and presentation on his book A Soldier’s Sketch Book — From the Front Lines of WWII, sponsored by Brookfield Historical Society.

The presentation will take place Monday, April 2, at 7:30 pm. It will be at the Brookfield Museum, 165 Whisconier Road (Route 25, at Route 133) in Brookfield Center. Admission is free, and complimentary refreshment will be served.

Mr Farris, a veteran of the Second World War, made a number of sketches and paintings chronicling his observations while serving as a machine gunner with Company M of the 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division, during the war in Europe. In addition, he sent back to his family hundreds of reassuring letters, in vivid contrast to his wartime experience, and took a multitude of photographs, each capturing his personal recollections of life in the trenches during the war.

After the war, he compiled a scrapbook for his family, which may be one of the most comprehensive photographic reports of World War II. National Geographic later compiled his imagery and letters, produced while in Europe during the war, and subsequently published the book.

For additional information, 203-740-8140.