Artwork

Studies of a Soldier Drinking, for Gassed (recto); Studies of a Male Nude (verso)

John Singer Sargent , 1918

Studies of a Soldier Drinking, for Gassed (recto); Studies of a Male Nude (verso) is a drawing by John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This drawing by John Singer Sargent serves as a preparatory study for his large-scale painting Gassed, commissioned by the British War Memorial Committee to commemorate World War I sacrifices. Executed in 1919, it reflects the artist's firsthand observations of battlefields in France the preceding year.

Subject & Meaning

The recto depicts a soldier seated on the ground, drinking from a canteen with his head tilted back, capturing a moment of respite amidst the chaos of war. This pose was likely intended to convey the humanizing aspect of soldiers' experiences in the painting Gassed.

Technique & Style

Sargent's characteristic quick, expressive lines define both the recto and verso (featuring a standing male nude with raised arms). These studies demonstrate his focus on perfecting poses and capturing the play of light on the human form, essential for the emotional impact of Gassed.

History & Provenance

Created during Sargent's preparation for Gassed, this drawing is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, alongside other works from his wartime visit to France. The final painting Gassed is housed at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Context

Conceived during a period of reflection on the devastating effects of World War I, this study contributes to a broader artistic effort to document and respond to the war's atrocities, notably the effects of mustard gas on soldiers.

Artist & collection

Artist

John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent (; January 12, 1856 – April 15, 1925) was an American expatriate artist, considered the "leading portrait painter of his generation" for his evocations of Belle Époque and Edwardian-era luxury.