Tête d’otage No. 14 (Head of a Hostage No. 14) 1944

"Tête d’otage No. 14 (Head of a Hostage No. 14)" is an abstract oil painting by Jean Fautrier, created in 1944. The painting depicts a head, likely a hostage, in a highly abstracted style. Fautrier used thick layers of paint and a textured surface to create a sense of distress and anguish, reflecting the horrors of World War II. The composition is dominated by a central, swirling form, representing the head, surrounded by a dark, imposing background. Fautrier’s "Hostage" series, of which this work is a part, is a powerful testament to the artist's exploration of human suffering and the impact of war.