Afbeelding van de Chinees-Japanse Oorlog in Pyongyang 1894

Ogata Gekko created this woodblock print depicting the Sino-Japanese War in Pyongyang. The stark imagery of combat evokes a raw emotional response. Observe how the figures are caught mid-action, frozen in a chaotic ballet of violence. The fallen soldiers, their bodies contorted, remind us of similar motifs in Renaissance battle scenes. This motif can be traced back to classical depictions of fallen warriors, echoing through time and resurfacing even in modern photography of war. This is a potent reminder of humanity's enduring struggle with conflict. The psychological impact of such images lies in their ability to tap into our collective memory of aggression and mortality. The repetition of this symbol throughout history shows our continued effort to grapple with the darker aspects of human nature. This cyclical nature of violence shows its continuous resurfacing and evolution in new contexts.