The artwork, titled “Combat,” was created by Jose Clemente Orozco in 1927 in Mexico City, Mexico. The piece is rendered in oil on canvas and measures 66.7 x 85.7 cm. Situated within the Expressionist movement, “Combat” belongs to the genre of battle paintings, depicting a frenzied and tumultuous scene of conflict.
The artwork captures a chaotic battle, featuring dynamic compositions of human figures engaged in intense combat. Dominated by earthy tones with stark contrasts of light and shadow, the scene is densely packed with intertwined bodies, some in the throes of violent struggle, accentuating the brutality and visceral nature of war. The figures’ exaggerated gestures and muscular forms convey extreme physical exertion and emotional turmoil. Sharp angles and dramatic use of chiaroscuro heighten the sense of immediacy and ferocity. The background, with deep blues and blacks, deepens the somber mood, placing the focus on the central confrontations.
