The artwork titled “Age of Anxiety,” created by Ben Shahn, belongs to the Expressionism art movement and is categorized as a genre painting. This piece of art captures a poignant emotional state and is rendered in a manner characteristic of Shahn’s distinctive style.
In the artwork, a spectral, white outline of a figure lies on a minimalistic bed, resembling a hospital or institutional setting. The figure appears enveloped in an aura of light against a dark, brooding background. The ethereal figure contrasts starkly with the somber environment, evoking a sense of vulnerability and introspection. To the right, two figures, with indistinct facial features painted in warm hues, gaze up towards the bed. The backdrop is dominated by deep, swirling shades of blue and gray, enhancing the overall atmosphere of anxiety and unease. The composition and color palette effectively convey a narrative of emotional distress and contemplative fear, true to the essence of Expressionism.