Nov 11 2009
wall of remembrance
'Gassed' (1919) by John Singer Sargent, Imperial War Museum
A BBC history trail provides some context and history to this painting and John Singer Sargent, the American artist comissioned to paint Anglo American cooperation
The painting is huge, silent and painful. The soliders blinded by mustard gas walk towards the tent for treatment. They follow each other in a chain of hand on the shoulder, unable to see their steps
Chemical warfare
Before seeing this painting I had only ever known John’s witty, bright and insightful society portraits. Carnation, lily, lily rose has decorated my home since the early 1980’s. It was one of my first loves, the warm light of the lanterns, the of the grass, linen and flowers, the children silently together with thier lives ahead. The bright optimism is good company on my bedroom wall
Pain is remembrance, you cannot forget pain (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh)
The pain in ‘Gassed’ doesn’t need to hang on my wall to haunt me. Like an old friend, I will visit the painting again
3 inspirational musings on wall of remembrance
Good heavens! Carnation Lily, Lily Rose is one of my favourite paintings. I’ve seen it at the Tate – I think it’s in storage at the moment? But it glows, in real life I swear that painting glows… I want the real thing on my wall. I don’t think i’m going to get it though!
Sx
A very beautiful, and powerful painting. Thanks for reminding me of it.
Yes it glows!
And reproductions simply don’t catch the glow.
JSS’s talent with light, mood and communicative expressions on silent faces has always captivated me. Gassed is something else, in real life it rips at those over expressive tear glands of mine.