Studies for "Gassed" [recto]

Studies for "Gassed" [recto] by John Singer Sargent is a powerful charcoal with graphite drawing, executed on laid paper between 1918 and 1919. This piece serves as a preparatory study for Sargent’s immense 1919 oil painting, Gassed, which was commissioned by the British Ministry of Information to commemorate the human cost of World War I. The drawing focuses intensely on the central processional arrangement of soldiers who are blinded and guided by comrades, a harrowing depiction of the effects of chemical warfare.

Sargent masterfully uses the combination of charcoal and graphite to explore the physical and emotional burdens carried by the soldiers. The immediate and raw energy characteristic of a drawing emphasizes the speed and urgency of Sargent’s observation. As an American artist deeply involved in documenting the late stages of the war, Sargent’s work from this period, falling squarely within the 1901 to 1925 era, shifted away from the society portraits that defined his earlier career toward massive historical narrative compositions. The vigorous, expressive lines capture the staggering movement and suffering without sentimentality, highlighting his unique ability to merge journalistic observation with classical composition.

This crucial study reveals the complex process behind one of the most iconic images of the First World War. Sargent's dedication to anatomical realism ensures the lasting impact of the scene. The work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., providing crucial insight into the artist’s methodology during his most intense artistic output. While the original study is a unique artifact, high-quality prints derived from preparatory works such as this are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring widespread access to the American master's powerful wartime drawings.