Escape From A Burning Village 1945

Cyprián Majerník made this painting, Escape From A Burning Village, with oil paint, sometime before his death in 1945. The colour palette is quite muted, browns, greys and whites, giving a sense of drama without being theatrical. It's the kind of scene that seems to be emerging right in front of you as you look at it. The paint handling is really interesting here. The artist is not trying to trick you into thinking that you are looking at reality, more like a representation of a memory. Look how the marks that describe the water are laid down in such broad strokes, you can really see the movement of the hand. And then there are the figures, they are solid blocks of colour with very little detail, but somehow they manage to convey a sense of desperation and urgency. Notice in the background the blocky shapes of the buildings on fire and the simplified texture of the smoke, giving a strong sense of place and danger. This piece reminds me of some of the work of Kathe Kollwitz. Both artists share a similar interest in representing the human condition during times of conflict. But where Kollwitz is filled with pathos, Majerník offers a glimmer of hope. Art is always this ongoing conversation, and each artist brings their own unique voice to the table.