Iliad, The End 1975

Jan Cox created "Iliad, The End" using oil on canvas. Cox, a Belgian artist who lived through the Nazi occupation of Belgium, grappled with themes of destruction and existential questioning that marked much of post-war art. In "Iliad, The End," the artist presents us with a striking image of a serpent-like creature hovering over a desolate landscape. The creature, rendered in stark blues, seems to descend with a predatory gaze, and directly contrasts the vulnerable, yellow figures beneath it. The title connects us to Homer's epic poem about the Trojan War. This context suggests an exploration of conflict, loss, and the cyclical nature of violence. The painting has an apocalyptic feel. The barren landscape evokes a sense of abandonment and ruin. Cox uses abstraction to communicate the complex emotions associated with historical trauma, inviting viewers to reflect on the human condition.