Bortnyik Sándor, Külvárosi Táj 1927 

"Külvárosi Táj", or "City Outskirts", was painted in 1927 by the Hungarian artist Sándor Bortnyik. Created in the interwar period, this painting captures the social and economic tensions of the time, reflected in its geometric style and stark depiction of urban life. Bortnyik’s work often explored themes of industrialization and its impact on society. The flattened perspective and simplified forms might remind us of the alienation and dehumanization that can come with modernity, and the way industrial landscapes can erase any sense of personal identity. Note how the architecture looms over the figures, and the dominance of the geometric shapes. Are these houses or workplaces? This adds to a sense of disconnect and perhaps even oppression. The painting leaves you feeling uncertain, caught between the promise of progress and the cold reality of the urban experience.