Ogre. Late 1870 – early 1880 Vasily Vereshchagin (1842-1904)

The painting depicts a dramatic scene of natures raw power and the cycle of life and death. In the foreground, a majestic tiger lies on its side, actively feeding on a carcass. Its powerful body is tensed, and its jaws are sunk into the flesh, showcasing its predatory nature. Around the tiger and the carcass, a group of eagles are gathered, some already feeding, while others are in mid-air preparing to descend or are poised to get their share. The birds are depicted with their wings widespread, their sharp talons and beaks emphasizing their predatory instincts.
The background consists of tall, dry grass and a clear blue sky, setting a somewhat desolate yet naturalistic stage. The ground beneath the animals appears to be a light, perhaps sandy or muddy, surface, streaked with shadows. The overall composition creates a sense of intense activity and struggle for survival.
The subtexts of this painting are several-fold. It powerfully illustrates the struggle for existence, a concept central to Darwinian thought, where only the fittest survive. The coexistence of the tiger, a apex predator, and the eagles, scavenging birds of prey, highlights the complex food web and the constant competition for resources in the wild. The title Ogre could be interpreted in several ways: the tiger itself might be seen as an ogre due to its fearsome predatory nature, or it could be a reflection on the brutal, unforgiving essence of nature, which, like an ogre, can be both magnificent and terrifying. The painting also might serve as a metaphor for power dynamics and the inevitable demise that awaits even the strongest. The stark depiction of feeding and death serves as a potent reminder of mortality and the raw, untamed forces of the natural world.