War artist

A war artist is an artist, usually commissioned by a government, who depicts a war, either during battles, its effects on the home front, or its aftermath.

Such artists are often commissioned because the war effort is better served by the inspirational benefit of their art, as opposed to their ability to fight on the front line; alternatively, they might be hired to commemorate and immortalise the events. Famous war artists include John Singer Sargent, Stanley Spencer, Paul Nash, and Edward Ardizzone.