The artwork titled “Horreur de la guerre: Les fusillés,” created by Bernard Buffet in 1954, belongs to the art movements of Expressionism and Miserablism and falls under the genre of symbolic painting. The piece dramatically conveys the harrowing consequences of war, depicting a profoundly somber scene.
The composition presents a stark and haunting portrayal of execution by firing squad, capturing a group of emaciated and anguished figures, both standing against posts and collapsed on the ground. The elongated forms and gaunt expressions of the characters emphasize their suffering and despair, rendered in somber, muted tones that underscore the gravity of the scene. The background, textured yet subdued, further amplifies the desolate atmosphere of the piece. The meticulous use of lines and minimalist color palette collectively convey a powerful message about the brutality and senselessness of war, characteristic of Buffet’s distinctive style within the realms of Expressionism and Miserablism.
