The Trembling Army of Russia 1904

Kobayashi Kiyochika made this woodblock print, "The Trembling Army of Russia," sometime around the turn of the 20th century. Look at how Kiyochika renders the figures: all wobbly lines and jittery edges. The colours are muted, almost apologetic, like a faded memory. It's like he’s not just depicting an army, but the very *idea* of an army, destabilized and unsure. I'm drawn to the way the artist uses line here. The edges of the figures are almost vibrating, especially on that Czar guy. It's not just the outline; it's like the very form is in a state of constant flux. This reminds me of Guston's late work with the cartoonish but deeply felt handling of the figures. This isn't just about representation, it's about how we *feel* about representation, about power, about history. It's a reminder that art isn't just about showing something, it's about questioning everything.