untitled 

Jules Schmalzigaug made this untitled work using gouache and pencil on paper. Though undated, it likely comes from the years just before his death in 1917. Schmalzigaug was an Italian futurist painter. Futurism was fascinated with technology and speed, and sought to represent modern life. What we see here are shapes in primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—plus black, which convey a sense of movement. The dynamic forms create a non-objective composition. The futurists saw art as a means to social change. They aligned themselves with the growing Italian nationalist movement. They were fascinated with the idea of machines and technology. Futurism was very popular, especially among young artists, but it declined after World War I as it had become associated with the trauma of the war. To further understand the futurist movement, research can be done on the cultural politics of pre-war Italy. By looking at manifestos and other documents, we can understand the relationship between art and society.