The artwork, titled “Bankruptcy,” was created by Giacomo Balla in 1902 in Italy using oil on canvas as the medium. It aligns with the Pointillism art movement and is categorized under the cityscape genre. Currently, this artwork is housed in Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany.
The artwork depicts a detailed and textured portrayal of an urban scene characterized by a worn and scratched wooden door set against a rough stone wall. The pointillist technique is evident in the intricate dot pattern used to render the surfaces, imparting a sense of depth and realism. The door panels, marred by various etchings and markings, evoke a sense of neglect and history, reflective perhaps of the struggles and perils implied in the title “Bankruptcy.” The ground in front of the door is rendered with an equally meticulous approach, capturing the ruggedness of the street underfoot. The overall composition conveys a poignant juxtaposition of urban decay and the steadfastness of urban architecture.
