Studies for "Gassed"

Studies for "Gassed" by John Singer Sargent (1918-1919) is a powerful charcoal drawing created on laid paper, serving as preparatory work for his monumental oil painting, Gassed (1919). Classified as an American drawing from the pivotal period of 1901 to 1925, this piece captures the urgency and tragedy of the immediate aftermath of a mustard gas attack on the Western Front during World War I.

Sargent was deployed as an official war artist in 1918 by the British Ministry of Information, and he witnessed scenes of chemical warfare firsthand. The drawing concentrates on the forms of the blinded soldiers being led away for medical attention, their hands clutched to the man in front of them in a devastating line. Sargent used the dynamic medium of charcoal to rapidly establish the human figures, focusing on mass, posture, and gesture rather than minute detail. The heavy, decisive application of the charcoal contrasts with the delicate surface of the laid paper, allowing the artist to quickly develop the complex multi-figure composition required for the final canvas. This intense observation and documentation reinforce the chaotic and dehumanizing nature of the conflict.

This drawing exemplifies the late career style of Sargent, an American master whose artistic output continued to reflect both intimate studies and grand scale compositions. The work documents an essential stage in the development of the final masterpiece, demonstrating the artist’s process as he translated traumatic observation into official visual history. This significant drawing resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The drawing's legacy, coupled with the increasing availability of high-quality prints, ensures that this seminal World War I artwork will eventually enter the public domain, remaining accessible globally for researchers and art enthusiasts.