During this time, he painted some informal watercolors, including Tommies Bathing.

The name "Tommy" comes from "Thomas Atkins," the fictitious name the British Army used on official forms for private soldiers.

[2] The watercolor was a gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1950 from Mrs. Francis Ormond, Sargent's sister.

[3] Sargent used a high, voyeuristic viewpoint and shows the men in a state of complete relaxation.

He also captured the shadows cast across the bodies by blades of grass, with technical facility.