The artwork entitled “Journey’s End,” created by the eminent artist Abanindranath Tagore, dating back to the year 1913, pertains to the genre of animal painting. This significant piece is housed in the National Gallery Of Modern Art (NGMA) located in New Delhi, India.
“Journey’s End” depicts a somber and powerful scene that elicits emotional engagement from the viewer. The central focus of the artwork is on two camels in a state of clear distress. The camel in the foreground appears despondent and exhausted, with its head bowed in an expression of surrender or resignation. Its mouth is open as if gasping for air or crying out, and one can almost feel the emotion conveyed through the texture and forms used by the artist. The color tones are subdued, predominantly in shades of earthy browns and tan against a monochromatic and warm background, which further evokes a sense of intense heat and weariness. Behind this camel stands another camel, bowed over and seemingly in a swoon or collapse, which compounds the sense of despair and depletion. The position and posture of these animals suggest an end of a grueling journey, where the camels seem to have reached their limits. There is a palpable energy of finality and desolation communicated through this poignant composition. The use of color, detail, and minimal background elements keeps the viewer focused on the plight of the camels, making the artwork a compelling narrative on endurance and the cessation of a journey that may have been arduous and unforgiving.
