“City of Death” is a surrealist cityscape painting by Jacek Yerka. The artwork embodies the whimsical and fantastical elements characteristic of the Surrealism movement, evoking a sense of dreamlike otherworldliness.
In this artwork, an intricate labyrinth of brick structures forms the foreground, their rooftops overtaken by natural greenery. Pathways and tunnels weave through these buildings, while an arched bridge prominently divides the composition, suggesting multiple layers of passageways below. In the distance, a river winds its way through a desolate field, moving toward an enigmatic city that looms on the horizon. Rays of light seem to cascade from this city, lending it an ethereal glow. The sky above is filled with swirling, dramatic clouds, enhancing the surreal atmosphere and making the distant city appear both ominous and otherworldly. The use of contrasting textures—rigid brick juxtaposed against the softness of the flora—further amplifies the tension between nature and architecture in the composition.
