Onslaught 1991

Boris Vallejo's painting presents us with an onslaught of visceral symbols. The muscular figures evoke classical statuary, yet their garb is pure fantasy. Dominating the scene is the masked giant, whose menacing helmet and massive axe are the instruments of chaos. Consider the axe—a primal symbol of power. From the labrys of Minoan Crete to the battleaxes of Norse warriors, it represents both destruction and authority. Here, it’s wielded by a figure seemingly impervious to pain, a golem-like being stripped of humanity behind the cold metal of his mask. The red background, reminiscent of the fires of war or perhaps even the depths of the underworld, amplifies the painting’s emotional intensity. In contrast, the barbarian-like protagonist, while heroic, seems caught in a dance of death. The collective memory of countless battles informs this scene, where courage confronts overwhelming force, a timeless drama etched in our subconscious. Vallejo taps into this, engaging viewers on a profound level as we recall the epic struggles between humans and the monstrous forces that threaten them. This is a spectacle that continuously resurfaces through the ages.