The artwork “Two Gendarmes,” created by Saul Steinberg in 1950, belongs to the Expressionism movement and is categorized as a caricature. This genre often involves a humorous or satirical depiction of its subjects, emphasizing certain features for effect. Steinberg’s work is known for its playful and insightful commentary on modern life and human behavior.
In “Two Gendarmes,” the artwork depicts two figures, each appearing to be a fusion of a human and a bicycle. The characters are stylized and simplified, with their bodies seemingly made up of the shape of a box, with their heads serving as the top of the box, complete with hats that resemble those worn by gendarmes or police officers. Their arms and hands are drawn to suggest salute or gesture, while the legs are replaced by the wheels of bicycles, adding a sense of whimsy and absurdity to the figures.
Steinberg’s characteristic line work and subtle coloring enhance the caricature, giving life and complexity to what are fundamentally simple shapes and concepts. The choice to blend the human form with bicycles might comment on the mechanized and routinized roles of authority figures or the relationship between humans and their tools. The presence of two such characters also introduces a sense of interaction or relationship between them, inviting viewers to consider their interconnectedness or the mirroring of roles and responsibilities in society. Overall, Steinberg’s artwork serves as both an amusing visual pun and a deeper exploration of social themes.
