Mules
John Singer Sargent
1918 · Watercolor, graphite, and wax crayon on off-white wove paper · The American Wing
The prolific Sargent made dozens of sketches and watercolors during his time at the Western Front as an official war artist for Britain. His subjects ranged from the horrific effects of modern chemical warfare to more intimate watercolors, which document the ruin and chaos of war and vignettes of daily life. Mules would have been a common sight at the front. Because of their strength and ability to maneuver difficult terrain they were widely used to transport troops, provisions, and artillery. Here Sargent avoids overt references to war but hints at the difficult conditions by depicting the mules’ hooves immersed in deep mud.
- Artist
- John Singer Sargent
- Date
- 1918
- Medium
- Watercolor, graphite, and wax crayon on off-white wove paper
- Culture
- American
- Department
- The American Wing
- Credit line
- Gift of Mrs. Francis Ormond, 1950
