Infantry at Nijmegen 

Alex Colville, a war artist during the Second World War, created "Infantry at Nijmegen." Colville wasn't just recording events, he was deeply affected by what he saw. This painting offers an intimate view of soldiers during wartime, departing from traditional heroic depictions. The soldiers trudge along a narrow path cutting through a stark, icy landscape. Their faces, especially that of the soldier at the front, bear the weight of war. As Colville once said, "I think that one has to try to paint reality." The weariness, the cold, and the emotional toll are palpable. Colville subtly critiques the glorification of war by focusing on the psychological impact on the individual. It serves as a reminder of the personal stories behind historical events. We are asked to consider the cost of war on the individual.