Pri vode 1940s

Cyprián Majerník created "Pri vode" using watercolour in an unknown year. The muted palette of browns, blues, and grays evokes a sense of melancholy. The composition is divided horizontally into thirds, with the upper portion dominated by a stormy sky, the middle showing the sea, and the lower section depicting land and figures. Notice the stark contrast between the dark, imposing figure of the horse and the more delicate, almost ghostly, figures of the humans. The horse can be seen as a symbol of raw, untamed power, while the humans struggle to control it. The loose, gestural brushstrokes add to the sense of movement and instability, reflecting the Expressionist style prevalent at the time. The interplay between control and chaos evident here can be interpreted through a lens of existential philosophy. The painting seems to question our ability to impose order on the world, suggesting a deeper, underlying sense of anxiety. As you move on to the next artwork, consider how artists use form and composition to convey complex emotional and philosophical ideas.