The artwork titled “Tears of Blood,” created by the artist Oswaldo Guayasamin, belongs to the art movement of Expressionism and is classified under the figurative genre. This piece embodies the evocative and emotional style characteristic of Expressionism, aiming to convey profound emotional experiences through distorted and exaggerated forms.
In “Tears of Blood,” the viewer is confronted with a powerful representation of human suffering and anguish. The central figure’s face is obscured by large, angular hands that seem to press against the head with overwhelming force. The intense use of dark tones contrasted with stark whites highlights the dramatic and expressive nature of the subject. The eyes, wide open and fixed in a gaze, appear bloodshot and convey a harrowing sense of pain, underscored by the title of the artwork. The bold, almost skeletal depiction of hands and the abstract treatment of the form amplify the emotional intensity and bring forth a raw and visceral response. Guayasamin’s work here resonates profoundly with the themes of human suffering, despair, and the search for liberation from anguish.
