Art from Different Fronts of World War One

The Western Front of World War One was a short train journey away from central London. The British government took advantage of this by commissioning paintings based on scenes seen at first hand, from the leading artists of the day. They sent artists to cover other aspects of the war as well - on the home and diplomatic fronts.

The intention was to use these images for propaganda purposes, and also as a way of commemorating the war and the people caught up in it. Many of the artists fulfilled this brief admirably, some also taking the opportunity to examine the moral issues surrounding the war in the process.

'Gassed' by John Singer Sargent

'Blood and Iron' by Charles Ernest Butler

'Shipbuilding on the Clyde' by Sir Stanley Spencer

'The Signing of Peace in the Hall of Mirrors' by Sir William Orpen