“Evil is Banal,” created by Marlene Dumas in 1984, is a self-portrait that falls within the Neo-Expressionism art movement. This artwork was likely conceptualized to present a raw and personal view of the artist’s own visage, as was common in the genre during the period it was produced.
The artwork depicts a figure with pale, almost ghostly skin tones and an intense, penetrating gaze. The figure’s hair is ablaze with vivid, fiery oranges and yellows that contrast starkly with the lighter shades of the face. The expression on the face hints at contemplation or melancholy, with a hand resting thoughtfully under the chin. The bold use of color and the loose, expressive brushwork are characteristic of Neo-Expressionism, emphasizing emotional impact over realistic representation. It exudes a haunting, almost ethereal quality, drawing the viewer into the depth of its introspective mood.
