Expert: J Heuman - 8/21/2004

Question
Do u know if Sargebt's painting, GASSED (1919) was inspired by photo in British newspaper that printed similar subject during WW I?Olsen biog only refers to British War Memorial commission asked Sargent to paint something relating to war & Sargent finally stated paintg as war ended. Spent 4 mos on it & completed in Apr 1919.Thanks

Answer
Greetings Jack,

Thank you for this interesting question about:

         John Singer Sargent
         Gassed (1918-19)
         Oil, 231 x 611.1 cm (91 x 240 1/2 in.)
         Collection Imperial War Museum, London

Here's what a few web sites state:

"In 1918 Sargent was commissioned to paint a large painting to symbolize the co-operation between British and American forces during the First World War. Sargent was sent to France with the British painter, Henry Tonks. One day Sargent visited a casualty clearing station at Le Bac-de-Sud. While at the casualty station he witnessed an orderly leading a group of soldiers that had been blinded by mustard gas. He used this as a subject for a naturalist allegorical frieze depicting a line of young men with their eyes bandaged. Gassed soon became one of the most memorably haunting images of the war."
[Source: www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/ARTsargent.htm]

You might find this web site of interest, as well:
www.jssgallery.org/Paintings/Gassed/Gassed.htm

Incidentally, I have found repeated reference to the date as 1918 . . . not 1919.  (So, you might double check your sources.)

Best wishes, sincerely,
J Heuman