Blown Up 1917

"Blown Up", created in 1917 by William Orpen, is a stark portrayal of a soldier in the aftermath of war. The soldier, stripped to his bare torso and wrapped in a makeshift garment, stands in a devastated landscape. He holds his rifle, his face etched with exhaustion, his leg bandaged. Scattered around him are remnants of battle: helmets, weapons, and other debris. The watercolor technique emphasizes the harshness of the scene, with the soldier's pale skin and the desolate surroundings contrasting against the stark blue sky. Orpen's powerful image serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war.