The artwork, titled “The Barracks,” was created by the artist Balthus in the year 1933. It belongs to the Metaphysical Art and Surrealism movements and is categorized as genre painting.
The artwork depicts a scene within a barrack’s courtyard, where soldiers and horses are engaged in various activities. The composition features soldiers wearing distinctive red caps, with one in the foreground standing with his back to the viewer, observing the energetic scene. Central to the painting is a white horse, active and seemingly agitated, surrounded by soldiers attempting to manage it. Additional figures are seen in the background, some mounted on horses while others are involved in different tasks around the courtyard. The setting includes modest buildings and a bare tree, adding to the sparse yet intriguing atmosphere. The painting reflects an enigmatic and disciplined air, characteristic of Metaphysical Art and Surrealism’s influence. Overall, “The Barracks” captures a moment brimming with a quiet, yet intense, sense of activity and tension.
