The artwork titled “Birth of Fascism” was created by the artist David Alfaro Siqueiros in 1936. This expressionist piece, measuring 75 x 60 cm, was made using pyroxylin on masonite. It falls within the genre of allegorical painting, encapsulating thematic depth through its abstract and emotive composition.
The artwork, rendered in a dynamic and turbulent style, depicts a charged scene characterized by dark and stormy waves surrounding a beleaguered figure on a raft. The chaotic whirl of the ocean contrasts with the stark, distressed figure, symbolizing struggle and turmoil. The figure clings to a mast, which is adorned with a flag, adding a poignant element of defiance or despair. In the background, a structure on a distant shore hints at a semblance of civilization amid the tempest, evoking a sense of lost guidance or embattled principles. The overall effect is a powerful visual metaphor, reflecting the dark themes inherent in its title.
