St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (1936)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
This intense artwork by Cyprián Majerník, titled "St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre," dramatically captures the chaos and brutality of the historical event it depicts. Painted in 1936, Majerník uses a dynamic composition and bold colors to convey the violence and turmoil of the infamous massacre which took place in 1572.The painting portrays a tumultuous scene with figures entangled in conflict. The central figure appears aggressive, brandishing a weapon depicted by a stark white line that cuts across the canvas, symbolizing the lethal force and swift action during the massacre. Below this figure, the victims are depicted in various states of distress and defeat, with one figure prominently lying on the ground, their face marked by lines of strain and pain. The use of earthy backgrounds contrasts sharply with the bright hues of the figures, highlighting the flesh and the raw emotions of the scene.Majerník’s choice of abstract shapes and the almost dissonant placement of limbs enhance the sense of movement and disarray, mirroring the confusion and horror of the massacre. The rough, expressive brushstrokes add to the intensity of the scene, making it a powerful, emotive representation of a grim historical moment.