Artwork
Studies for "Gassed"
Studies for "Gassed" is a charcoal drawing by John Singer Sargent. It dates from 1918 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
John Singer Sargent’s drawing, created between 1918 and 1919, is a preparatory study for his larger work “Gassed.” Executed in charcoal on laid paper, the piece measures a modest size and presents a tightly composed scene of three soldiers sharing a brief moment of fellowship amid the broader turmoil of the First World War.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on three military figures whose relaxed posture and subtle gestures suggest a fleeting pause in combat. Their interaction conveys a sense of mutual support and the human need for connection, highlighting how brief instances of camaraderie can emerge even in the most hostile environments.
Technique & Style
Sargent employs charcoal with a dense cross‑hatching technique, building tonal depth through layered strokes. The laid paper surface adds a slight texture that enhances the gritty atmosphere. The careful modulation of light and shadow renders the figures with a three‑dimensional presence while preserving the immediacy of a sketch.
History & Provenance
The study was produced during the final year of World War I, a period when Sargent was commissioned to document the conflict for the British War Memorials Committee. It remained in the artist’s studio until after his death, after which it entered a private collection before being acquired by a public institution in the mid‑20th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
![Studies for "Gassed" [recto], by John Singer Sargent](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-singer-sargent--studies-for-gassed-recto--1cd4a47eb68752d0-w320.webp)
![Studies for "Gassed" [recto], by John Singer Sargent](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-singer-sargent--studies-for-gassed-recto--bf7797882a33859c-w320.webp)
![Studies for "Entering the War" [recto], by John Singer Sargent](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-singer-sargent--studies-for-entering-the-war-recto--358a2c3ea8bd7639-w320.webp)
