“Panel 18. Modern Human Sacrifice – The Epic of American Civilization” is an artwork created by the revered artist Jose Clemente Orozco between 1932 and 1934. This piece is part of the larger mural series titled “The Epic of American Civilization (Dartmouth College Cycle)”, which is an exemplar of the Muralism art movement and falls under the genres of history painting and symbolic painting.
The artwork depicts a stark and vivid scene of what appears as a modern-day human sacrifice. Dominated by intense color and dynamic form, the composition portrays a distorted figure draped in vibrant, multi-colored cloth, evoking a sense of both reverence and violence. Surrounding the central figure are various symbolic elements, including military and political insignia, which may critique contemporary societal and political practices. The complexity and symbolic nature of the elements within the artwork encourage a reflective contemplation on the themes of power, sacrifice, and modern civilization.
