1938-N-No. 1 1938

Clyfford Still created this oil on canvas painting, 1938-N-No. 1, with bold and dark colours. The sombre tones and the shrouded figures recall the ancient motif of lamentation. Observe the figure draped in shadow, an echo of mourning figures seen across centuries. Consider the veiled face, an icon of grief found in ancient Roman sarcophagi and Renaissance depictions of the Deposition. This iconography evokes a profound emotional response, tapping into our collective memory of loss and sorrow. The abstract forms further intensify this sensation, creating a liminal space where personal and universal grief intertwine. These emotional states are powerful forces, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. The motif of lamentation is a potent symbol—a cyclical progression that resurfaces and evolves, echoing through diverse historical contexts, continually shaped by the human experience.