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.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in graphite by unknown hand: J.S.308
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.
![Studies for "Gassed" [recto]](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-singer-sargent--studies-for-gassed-recto--1cd4a47eb68752d0-w320.webp)
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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--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)
