British “National Treasure” Featured in Debut Exhibition in National WWI Museum and Memorial’s New Wylie Gallery

Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial
Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial

One of the world’s largest war-related paintings will be exhibited in the Midwest for the first time as part of the inaugural Wylie Gallery exhibition John Singer Sargent Gassed, which opens on Friday, Feb. 23 at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Gassed, which measures a staggering 21-feet long by nine-feet tall, is a landmark painting from famed artist John Singer Sargent depicting a line of British soldiers blinded by exposure to poison gas at a dressing station. Considered one of the most important war-related works of the past several centuries, Gassed was hailed as “monumental” by the New York Times, a “masterpiece” by the Daily Mail, “magnificent” by the Telegraph, “epic” by the Associated Press and “extraordinary” by The Guardian. Upon viewing the painting for the first time, Sir Winston Churchill referred to the work as “brilliant genius.”

“The significance of this painting cannot be understated – Gassed is one of the most important works of art from one of the preeminent artists of the past two centuries,” said National WWI Museum and Memorial President and CEO Dr. Matthew Naylor. “Gassed is a national treasure in the United Kingdom and bringing this magnificent painting to the National WWI Museum and Memorial stands as one of the most important achievements in our history.”

Types of Gas Masks tested by the U.S. in WWI; left to right American – French – British – German. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial
Types of Gas Masks tested by the U.S. in WWI; left to right American – French – British – German. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial

The historic painting is making its debut in the Midwest and is in the United States for just the second time since its completion in 1919. The scene in Gassed is the aftermath of a mustard gas attack on the Western Front in August 1918 as witnessed by Sargent, one of the most famous portrait artists of the 19th and 20th centuries whose work continues to be featured in museums throughout the world.

In a juxtaposition, a football match is being played in the background lit by the evening sun, seemingly unaware of the damaged and blinded parade of Tommies (British soldiers). Mustard gas was an indiscriminate weapon that caused widespread injury and burns, as well as affecting the eyes. The painting gives clues about the management of the victims, their relative lack of protective clothing and the impact and extent of the gas attack as well as its routine nature – the football (soccer) match carries on regardless.

Helmet or hood gas mask developed by the British being tested at the U.S. Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial
Helmet or hood gas mask developed by the British being tested at the U.S. Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial

Sargent was commissioned by the British government to contribute the central painting for a Hall of Remembrance in London for World War I. He was given the theme of “Anglo-American Co-operation,” but was unable to find suitable subject matter and chose a scene of the gassed men instead. Sargent completed the painting in March 1919 and it was one of the final noteworthy works he completed before his death in 1925 at the age of 69.

“Seeing this painting in person is an absolutely unique experience,” said National WWI Museum and Memorial Senior Curator Doran Cart. “The size, scope, magnitude and artistry of Gassedcertainly places the work as one of the most seminal in the modern era.”

French periodical showing an early type of poison gas protection. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial
French periodical showing an early type of poison gas protection. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial

Gassed, which is on loan from the Imperial War Museums in the U.K., has been viewed by tens of millions of people since its completion. It’s significance has grown over time as noted British broadcaster/historian Jon Snow hailed the painting as one of the “10 Best British Artworks About War,” while The Guardian listed Gassed among “1,000 Artworks to See Before You Die.”

The painting arrived at the Museum and Memorial on Jan. 29. After acclimating to the climate of the Wylie Gallery, Gassed was placed on a large wall specifically built to hold the painting on Jan. 31. Since that time, Museum and Memorial curatorial staff worked to complete the remaining elements of the special exhibition.

On loan from the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum – left to right – U.S. Model 50 mask, Russian mask recoverd in Vietnam, Iraqi mask, U.S. E41 automatic agent detector and alarm. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial
On loan from the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum – left to right – U.S. Model 50 mask, Russian mask recoverd in Vietnam, Iraqi mask, U.S. E41 automatic agent detector and alarm. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial

John Singer Sargent Gassed also includes original maps showing the location of the dressing station where Sargent witnessed the scene and reproductions of many of Sargent’s study drawings for the painting. Additionally, the Museum and Memorial partnered with the U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum to feature historical and contemporary objects showing detection and protection from chemical warfare from World War I through the modern era.

Presented by Buffalo Funds, John Singer Sargent Gassed is open from Friday, Feb. 23 through Sunday, June 3.

Gassed Painting Installation. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial
Gassed Painting Installation. Photo credits: National WWI Museum and Memorial

The Museum and Memorial is offering several programs related to the special exhibition:

  • Gassed Hands-on History

Saturdays at 1 p.m. (through June 2)

Join the Museum and Memorial for a Gassed-edition Hands-on-History where Education staff lead an interactive viewing of the work to see how Sargent used his observational skills to create this masterpiece. Discover your inner art historian at this family-friendly exploration! The event is complimentary with paid admission.

  • Day in the Life: Gas Warfare

Sunday, March 11, All Day

The Living History Volunteer Corps will be on site to share stories of the Great War era and make history come to life! This month they focus on gas warfare. Join us as we learn about the history of the detection, protection and use of gas and how it changed how war was fought. Guests will have the opportunity to ask our Living History Volunteer Corps questions and view non-accessioned WWI objects up close. The event is free to the public.

  • Seeing Gassed

Thursday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.

John Singer Sargent’s Gassed is among the most potent images to emerge from World War I. Sargent was among dozens of American artists who responded to the war, making art about its impact on society and their own lives. Join the engaging American art expert Robert Cozzolino as he explores how American artists imagined the war and its impact. From using traditional forms of representation to experimenting with new visual languages, these artists created work that both contextualizes and confounds how we understand the war one hundred years later. The event is free with RSVP at theworldwar.org.

  • Enduring Legacies of Gassed

Wednesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m.

Warfare and chemical weapons continue to have the same horrific impact today as they did when John Singer Sargent was moved to paint blinded WWI soldiers for his monumental workGassed. Join us for three rapid-fire presentations looking at the different aspects of the legacy of this violence, and what has – and has not – changed in the last century. The event is free with RSVP at theworldwar.org.