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Tasks: Gassed by John Singer Sargent

The American painter John Singer Sargent was commissioned by the British War Memorials Committee to document World War I, and he visited the Western Front in July 1918. This resulted in the large painting Gassed, which is 231 cm × 611 cm. The painting is in the Imperial War Museum's collection.
Painting: After a gas attack during World War I. Wounded soldiers are being lead in rows. They have bandages over their eyes. More soldiers lie on the ground.
Gassed by John Singer Sargent, 1919. Image: John Singer Sargent / Public domain

Study:

Study the painting carefully. Write down your observations.

(Your computer will have a zoom-in function that you can use. If you are unsure how to use it, ask your teacher or a classmate.)

  1. Give a detailed description of the procession of men that is at the centre of the painting.

  2. Are the men lying on the ground dead or alive? Explain what you observe.

  3. On the right-hand side we see ropes that come down to the ground. What do you think these ropes are?

  4. If you study the background behind the central row of men, you will see people playing football. Why do you think the artist has included this in the picture?

  5. On the right-hand side of the painting, we see the sun going down. Why do you think the artist has included the setting sun?

  6. If you look closely at the sky on the right-hand side of the painting you will see airplanes. What are the airplanes doing? Why do you think the airplanes are included in the painting?

  7. What sort of mood does the painting convey? How does the artist create this mood?

Mood in paintings

The building blocks of composition in art are line, shape, tone, colour, pattern, texture and form. All of these can be used to convey the mood of a painting. Here we will focus on colour and shape.

Colour plays an important role in conveying the mood. A contrast in colour can give the viewer a feeling of unrest, while harmonising colours seem more calming and restful. You can learn more about the effect of colours in art by doing an internet search for "how is mood created in paintings", or by following the link.

Colour and mood in art on the website artsandculture.google.com

If the shapes seem unnatural and removed from reality, this can cause the viewer to feel uncomfortable and create an unpleasant mood.

Are the shapes jagged or smooth? This also contributes to conveying the mood in a painting. By following this link you can read more about shapes in art, or you can do an internet search to look for 'how shapes create mood in art'. You can also follow the link below.

Article about shapes on the website artyfactory.com

Discuss:

Work with a partner. Explain your views as fully as possible.

  1. Does this painting make the viewer understand the horrors of war?

  2. Do you think the painting offers a realistic view of what it was like after a gas attack in World War I?

  3. What message does this painting try to convey?

  4. Do you like the painting?

Write:

Pick one of the tasks and write a longer text. Remember to include references and a source list.

  1. What role should art play in recording historic events? Write a discussion text where you make reference to John Singer Sargent's painting Gassed and at least one other work of art.

  2. Write a text where you discuss whether literature and art can give us a deeper understanding of World War I. Make reference to Wilfred Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum Est and John Singer Sargent's painting Gassed in your text.

  3. Compare John Singer Sargent's Painting Gassed with Otto Dix's painting Shock Troops Advance Under Gas, paying special attention to the mood and message of each painting.

Etching / Aquatint: We see men in uniform wearing gas masks and helmets. The colours are grey and white.
Shock Troops Advance Under Gas is a work of art by Otto Dix from 1924. Image: Otto Dix / Public domain

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