Studies for "Gassed"

Studies for "Gassed" is a powerful and historically resonant drawing created by John Singer Sargent between 1918 and 1919. This crucial work, rendered meticulously in charcoal on laid paper, served as preliminary documentation for his massive oil painting Gassed, which was commissioned by the British Ministry of Information to commemorate the events of the First World War. As an official war artist, Sargent documented the immediate aftermath of a mustard gas attack, focusing not on the violence of combat, but on the enduring suffering of the victims.

This piece, classified as a drawing, showcases Sargent’s command of preparatory studies. Using charcoal, Sargent captured the essential, agonizing posture of blinded soldiers queuing for treatment, their arms outstretched as they grasp the shoulder of the man in front of them. The laid paper lends a subtle texture to the surface, enhancing the effect of light and shadow and emphasizing the fatigued forms and slumped shoulders of the figures. Unlike the elaborate final canvas, this work relies on rapid, decisive strokes, characteristic of the artist’s observational sketch process designed to quickly record movement and human geometry in a stressful environment.

Dating from the years 1901 to 1925, this drawing is a significant example of how American art addressed the realities of modern warfare and mass casualty. Though often celebrated for his formal portraits, Sargent’s war art provides a searing commentary on the era. The work remains a critical component of the holdings at the National Gallery of Art. Due to its prominence and historical significance, reproductions and high-quality prints of this seminal Sargent drawing are widely available through resources dedicated to public domain art.