Postwar expressionism in Europe was an art movement
characterized by the devastation, despair, disillusionment, and cynicism after
WWII. Many European artists during this time began reflecting on the philosophy
of existentialism which questioned human existence and the impossibility of
achieving certitude. In addition to the existentialism movement, many Europeans
began to question the existence of a God after such carnal warfare, and an
increase in the atheists was also seen during the time period.
Francis Bacon’s Painting,
best describes the feelings of most Europeans after WWII. Painting depicts a carnal illustration
of a large man, whose face is hidden under a large black umbrella. The sinister
smile of the man, and the red smeared across the top of his lips, is the only
portion of face that is visible to the viewer. Above and around him are dead
carcasses. The image suggests that the man is a carnivore and has devoured the
meat raw. The majority of colors in this painting are a variety of reds and blacks.
Critics read the painting as an “indictment of humanity and a reflection of
war’s butchery.” (Gardner 1035). Analysts also hypothesize that the figure is
most likely a depiction of a central political figure during the war (i.e.
Hitler, Joseph Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler, Benito Mussolini, Franklin
Roosevelt, or Neville Chamberlain).
The many hues of red and black along with the rapid
brushstrokes made it difficult for me to make out the painting at first. The
only thing that was instantly clear was the hanging carcass, which I feel is an
accurate representation of any war- the only thing that is clear, is the death
war brings.
No comments:
Post a Comment