Studies for "Entering the War" [recto]

Studies for "Entering the War" [recto] by John Singer Sargent is a preparatory drawing executed in graphite on wove paper between 1913 and 1923. Classified specifically as a drawing, this work provides crucial insight into the artist’s working methods during a highly consequential phase of his career. The chosen medium allows Sargent to employ quick, analytical lines, capturing the kinetic energy and fundamental forms necessary for the development of a complex multi-figure composition. This period, spanning the years 1901 to 1925, encompassed the entirety of World War I, which prompted the American artist to transition from society portraiture toward large-scale, historically focused documentation of the conflict.

The title, "Entering the War," strongly suggests a military or mobilization theme, reflecting the profound global shift documented by Sargent in his late years. Sargent, who was commissioned as an official war artist, dedicated significant effort to subjects related to the front lines and the subsequent devastation. This specific study showcases Sargent’s meticulous approach to figurative composition, likely exploring poses, gestures, or groupings of soldiers preparing for deployment or entering the fray. The careful rendering reveals the discipline and precise observational skills that characterized the master’s output, highlighting the structural underpinning of his eventual oil paintings or murals.

This historically significant American work is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, serving as a critical piece of documentation for Sargent’s engagement with martial subjects. As a primary component of the Sargent oeuvre, the drawing helps scholars understand the artistic transition of the early 20th century. High-resolution prints of foundational studies like Studies for "Entering the War" [recto] are often shared through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread accessibility for research into Sargent’s technical process and his monumental contributions to war art.