#12310 Rafael De Penagos

The drawing presents a figure in a state of apparent distress or mania, set against a stylized landscape. The individual is clad in blue garments, layered and somewhat theatrical in their construction, with a large backpack slung over one shoulder and a rifle resting on the ground beside them. Their posture suggests exhaustion and agitation; they lean heavily on a knee, while clutching at their face with an expression of intense anguish or perhaps delirium.
The facial features are exaggerated – wide eyes, bared teeth, and a contorted mouth contribute to a sense of unsettling intensity. The artist has rendered the skin tone as pale, further emphasizing the figure’s vulnerability or illness. A small, rectangular object is held in their hand, its significance unclear but potentially symbolic of a burden or source of torment.
The background features a simplified depiction of a rocky outcrop and a few birds flying overhead. The color palette is dominated by yellows, blues, and browns, creating a somewhat muted and dreamlike atmosphere. Text appears at the top and bottom of the composition; the upper text is in a bold, decorative font, while the lower portion provides what seems to be a location – Calleja Madrid.
The overall impression is one of psychological turmoil and disorientation. The figure’s exaggerated features and distressed posture suggest an internal struggle or mental breakdown. The presence of military equipment – the backpack and rifle – introduces a layer of complexity, hinting at themes of conflict, responsibility, or perhaps the psychological toll of war. The inclusion of the location suggests that this experience is grounded in a specific place, yet simultaneously transcends it through its symbolic weight. The drawing’s style, with its cartoonish elements and simplified forms, lends itself to an interpretation as a commentary on societal anxieties or the fragility of the human psyche.