2 At Cederine She Witnesses a Frightful Slaughter of Officers 

Henry Darger created "2 At Cederine She Witnesses a Frightful Slaughter of Officers" using watercolor, pencil, and collage on paper. The chaotic clash of figures, punctuated by bright colors, speaks to a deeper narrative. Note the stark contrast between the serene landscape and the violent subject. This juxtaposition echoes ancient battle scenes where bucolic settings serve as a stage for human conflict. The figures locked in combat recall classical friezes depicting the struggles of heroes, yet here, the violence is immediate and raw. Consider the symbolism of the battlefield itself, a recurring motif throughout history—from the fields of Troy to modern war photography. It is a place of both horror and transformation. This image taps into our collective memory, stirring a primal response to violence and suffering. Like the ancient Greeks who used tragedy to purge emotions, Darger presents us with a scene that is both disturbing and cathartic, inviting us to confront the darker aspects of human existence and reflect on the cyclical nature of conflict.