When Was Gassed Painted?

John Singer Sargent's monumental painting, Gassed, depicting the harrowing aftermath of a mustard gas attack on World War I soldiers, was created between 1918 and March 1919.

The Creation Period of a Masterpiece

Commissioned by the British War Memorials Committee, Gassed represents one of the most powerful visual records of the human cost of chemical warfare during World War I. John Singer Sargent, a renowned American artist, was tasked with creating a large-scale painting for a proposed Hall of Remembrance. His work on this significant piece commenced in 1918 and was completed by March of 1919. This period allowed him to capture the raw, immediate experiences he witnessed firsthand on the Western Front.

Historical Context and Artistic Commission

Sargent traveled to the Western Front in July 1918 to fulfill his commission as an official war artist. While initially intended to focus on Anglo-American cooperation, his experiences observing the widespread suffering profoundly influenced his artistic direction.

• Artist: John Singer Sargent (1856–1925)
• Commissioned by: British War Memorials Committee
• Subject: The effects of a mustard gas attack on soldiers during World War I, specifically depicting a line of blinded soldiers being led to a dressing station.
• Location of Observation: Le Bac-du-Sud, near Arras, France, on August 21, 1918. Sargent witnessed the scene of gas-attack victims and men playing football, an observation that directly inspired the painting's composition.

Significance and Impact

Gassed stands out for its stark realism and emotional depth. It captures the universal suffering of war without resorting to glorification, making it a timeless anti-war statement. The painting's vast scale and poignant subject matter immediately resonated with audiences, becoming one of the most recognized and impactful artworks from the Great War.

Key Elements of its Impact:

• Emotional Resonance: The painting powerfully conveys the pain, blindness, and vulnerability of the gassed soldiers.
• Compositional Mastery: Sargent's arrangement of figures in a long, diagonal line emphasizes their collective suffering and vulnerability.
• Historical Documentation: It serves as a vital historical document, illustrating the brutal reality of gas warfare.
• Anti-War Message: Through its portrayal of suffering, the painting subtly yet effectively critiques the horrors of conflict.

Where to See Gassed

Today, Gassed is a central exhibit at the Imperial War Museums (IWM) in London, UK. It remains one of the museum's most compelling and visited pieces, continuing to educate and move visitors from around the world.