The artwork titled “El Presidente,” created by the artist Oswaldo Guayasamín in 1967, belongs to the Expressionism art movement and falls under the portrait genre. The piece presents an evocative and powerful study of the human visage, rendered in Guayasamín’s distinct and emotionally charged style.
The artwork features a head with exaggerated and abstracted features, characteristic of the Expressionist style, conveying intense emotion and psychological depth. The face is composed of bold, layered brushstrokes, creating a sense of texture and complexity. The figure’s facial features, particularly the eyes and mouth, are distorted, adding a dramatic and almost surreal quality to the portrait. The use of stark contrasts in color, especially the vibrant blue eyes against the earthy tones of the skin, enhances the intensity of the expression. The background is a subdued green, drawing further focus to the deeply expressive and contorted face. The overall composition of the artwork exudes a compelling yet unsettling presence, epitomizing the Expressionist approach to exploring inner emotional states.
