“The Cry,” created by Luc Tuymans in 1989 in Belgium, is an oil painting on canvas that exemplifies the New European Painting art movement. Measuring 37 x 45 cm, the artwork falls within the genre of genre painting.
The artwork portrays a solitary figure, presumably a woman, standing in a setting characterized by muted and restrained colors. The background comprises large, flat surfaces in grayscale, suggesting a modern building facade. The figure herself is rendered with minimal detail, yet her posture and the positioning of her hand to her face convey a sense of distress or sorrow, as implied by the title “The Cry.” This emotional element is juxtaposed with the stark, almost clinical environment around her, creating a poignant and contemplative scene. The broad strokes and subdued palette typical of Tuymans’ style contribute to an atmosphere of ambiguity and introspection, inviting viewers to delve deeper into the implied narrative.
