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| 1920 - Final Charge by Jakub Rozalski |
1920 - Final Charge by Jakub Rozalski is part of a larger series of paintings that the artist has been working on from an alternative earth and First World War where massive war machines ambled their way across battlefields and wrecked havoc on a scale that I don't think any of us are capable of fully grasping. The entire series is well worth exploring but this one in particular has kept my interest for months and each time that I look at it I find some new detail that I had previously missed.
On this occasion my eyes are drawn to the delicate, orange flames lingering on the wreckage surrounding the lone solder with his rifle drawn in a hopeless stand against the charging cavalry. His legs have this implied tremble to them that hints at his desperation but his upper body shows a resoluteness that holds him firm in the face of insurmountable odds. Then I find myself noticing the eagle that flies over the left of the solder mounted on the white horse. I've assumed since I first saw this painting that it was a vulture but upon closer inspection it appears to be an eagle. Is the implied message here that the charging cavalry represents the forces of freedom while the soldier is but a stubborn hold out from some oppressive regime? I don't know the answer to that questions; however, I do know that I want a canvas print of it.
If you, like me, enjoy Jakub's work I encourage you to visit his store on society 6 and purchase some of this gifted artist's works. I know I will be.
My assumption was that the eagle was included ed as a symbol of Poland. After all, the cavalry is Polish and the artist is probably Polish too given his name.
ReplyDeleteNeat!
DeleteYou may want to google the boardgame SCYTHE. It is based on (and makes heavy use of) Rozalski's artwork and implied alt history setting.
ReplyDeleteIf you search for reviews you'll only find glowing praise - and rightfully so, it's one of the best boardgames ever.