John Singer Sargent's Gassed

In November 2023 the new Blavatnik Art, Film and Photography Galleries will open at IWM London. These new Galleries will be the UK’s first to explore how artists, photographers and filmmakers bear witness to and tell the story of war and conflict. Taking centre stage will be John Singer Sargent’s iconic six-metre-long painting Gassed, 1919, which moved contemporary audiences to tears as it brought home the reality of First World War fighting. Returning to IWM London for the first time since 2016, the painting has undergone extensive conservation work including the removal of discoloured historical varnish. John Singer Sargent’s Gassed presents the newly conserved painting in all its glory, exploring the history of the artwork and its composition, and examining its importance in the art world. The book also features newly commissioned photography, bringing the rich detail of the painting to life for new audiences.