The artwork “Lágrimas De Sangre,” created by Oswaldo Guayasamin, belongs to the Expressionism movement and is classified within the figurative genre. Guayasamin, known for his powerful and evocative works, constructs a narrative of emotion and raw human experience through his art.
Upon examining the artwork, one is confronted with a stark and harrowing vision. It depicts a ghostly figure, rendered with jagged, angular lines that contribute to an overall feeling of distress and torment. The dominant color palette is dark and earthen, with only the haunting white of the skeletal forms and the stark red of the eyes and what appears to resemble tears of blood, from which the artwork derives its name, providing a piercing contrast.
The figure seems trapped or constrained, evoking feelings of vulnerability and pain. The eyes are especially prominent, wide and staring, transmitting a palpable sense of anguish. These elements together strongly evoke the emotional intensity characteristic of Expressionist art.
The representation of the body is fractured and disjointed, symbolizing, perhaps, the fragmentation of the self or the shattering impact of suffering. Guayasamin’s choice of imagery and composition in this piece deals with the human condition, creating a compelling and disturbing reflection on themes of suffering, despair, and the resilience of the human spirit.
