victory battle 1914 Aristarkh Lentulov (1882-1943)

The composition presents a chaotic scene, seemingly depicting a military engagement. Here we observe figures on horseback dominating the foreground, enveloped within a dense and fractured visual field. The central figure, mounted prominently, appears to be an officer or commanding presence, identifiable by his uniform and posture – a forward lean suggesting direction and authority amidst the turmoil. He is surrounded by other soldiers, their forms rendered in sharp angles and planes, contributing to a sense of fragmentation and disorientation.
The color palette is restricted primarily to reds, blues, browns, and creams, with occasional bursts of yellow that draw attention to specific areas. The application of paint is bold and textured; brushstrokes are visible, adding to the overall feeling of immediacy and unrestrained energy. Light sources appear diffuse and inconsistent, further contributing to the sense of confusion inherent in a battle scene.
The artist’s choice to deconstruct forms rather than represent them realistically suggests an interest in conveying not just the visual appearance of conflict but also its psychological impact. The fractured planes and disjointed figures could be interpreted as symbolizing the breakdown of order and the shattering of individual identities within the context of war. There is a deliberate avoidance of clear perspective, flattening the space and intensifying the feeling of claustrophobia and overwhelming force.
The presence of what appears to be a large wheel in the lower right corner introduces an element of mechanical brutality – a stark reminder of the industrial nature of modern warfare. It also serves as a compositional anchor amidst the swirling chaos. The overall effect is not one of triumphant victory, but rather a portrayal of struggle and upheaval, hinting at the human cost embedded within military action. A sense of unease pervades the work; it’s less about celebrating a win than confronting the disquieting reality of conflict.