“Science against Obscurantism” is an abstract oil painting on canvas created in 1920 by the Italian artist Giacomo Balla. The artwork, which is firmly rooted in the Futurism art movement, exemplifies the genre’s characteristic dynamism and emphasis on modernity.
The composition of the artwork showcases an interplay of vibrant colors and dynamic geometric forms set against a stark black background. A sharp, luminous beam of light extends from the left side, cutting through the darkness and illuminating an array of interwoven, organic shapes. These shapes, depicted in bold, contrasting hues of blue, red, yellow, and green, appear to traverse through space, creating a sense of movement and energy. The overall effect is one of a powerful, almost cosmic struggle between enlightenment and obscurity, quintessential of the Futurist ideology which exalts the triumph of science and progress over ignorance and conservatism.
