“Quito de la nube negra” is an expressionist cityscape painted by Oswaldo Guayasamin in 1987. The artwork depicts the city of Quito, characterized by its dense and fragmented architecture, surrounded by dramatic, dark mountainous landscapes and an ominous dark cloud hanging above, which adds to the tense atmosphere of the piece.
In the artwork, the city is portrayed with an intricate assembly of geometric shapes representing buildings, painted primarily in tones of white, beige, and brown. These structures are clustered tightly together, creating a sense of depth and density within the cityscape. The mountains envelop the city with bold, sweeping lines and rich, dark greens, adding a striking contrast to the light-colored city below. Above, the dark cloud looms, possibly evoking a tumultuous or foreboding atmosphere, which complements the overall expressionist style of the painting. The juxtaposition of the light cities against the dark, imposing natural elements emphasizes the dramatic tension inherent in the artwork.
