Study of Field Marshal John French for ‘General Officers of World War I’ 1920 - 1922

This charcoal drawing by John Singer Sargent is a study for his larger project ‘General Officers of World War I’. It features Field Marshal John French, a prominent figure in British military history. The portrait, created between 1920 and 1922, captures the subject's likeness with delicate yet precise lines, highlighting the wrinkles and lines on his face. The simple composition, with the figure's head and shoulders dominating the space, emphasizes the subject’s presence. This study exemplifies Sargent’s mastery of capturing a subject's essence through skilled draftsmanship.