John Singer Sargent's Gassed

One of IWM's most iconic and well-loved objects, John Singer Sargent's Gassed is the largest painting in the museum's collection and has been on near-constant display since 1919. This book explores the painting's origins in the final months of the First World War, its vibrant and visual power, and its enduring legacy in the context of art inspired by conflict.

Format: Hardback
Length: 102 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Imperial War Museum

One of the most iconic and beloved objects in the collection of the Imperial War Museum (IWM) is John Singer Sargent's Gassed. This truly monumental painting is not only the largest in the museum's collection but has been on near-constant display since its first exhibition in 1919. It is a favorite among visitors and is the most requested image by researchers and publishers alike. The work endures as a lasting symbol of modern art in public service and the transformative conflict from which it came.

In the following pages, IWM's Head of Art, Rebecca Newell, traces the origins of this large and powerful painting in the final months of the First World War and celebrates the vibrancy and visual power of the work, revealed once again during recent conservation. Gassed reflects on the challenges of creating and displaying a canvas of such size and the dramatic impact the work has had on generations of visitors to IWM.

Finally, the book considers the painting's enduring legacy in the context of art inspired by conflict, a legacy now secured for future generations.

ISBN-13: 9781912423712