The artwork, titled “Sheep They Are Laid in the Grave,” is a symbolic painting by James Tissot, belonging to the Realism art movement. The painting is characterized by its intense, dramatic visual narrative that is intrinsic to the symbolic genre.
The artwork portrays a hellish scene dominated by a skeletal figure wielding a whip over a chaotic mass of wretched, suffering individuals. The background is engulfed in what appears to be flames, adding to the overall sense of torment and despair. The figures, many of whom are depicted with expressions of agony and bodies in various states of distress, seem to be trapped in this infernal landscape. The vivid colors and intricate details contribute to the harrowing atmosphere, reinforcing the symbolic and somber themes that Tissot intended to convey.
