“The Cry,” crafted by Oswaldo Guayasamin in 1983, is a striking representation of Expressionism within the genre of portraiture. The artwork vividly captures emotional intensity and human suffering through distorted and evocative imagery.
The artwork, composed of three panels, utilizes a somber and dark palette, predominantly featuring shades of brown and yellow, with contrasting black hues. Each panel reveals a distinct yet interconnected portrayal of a face and hands, which are elongated and exaggerated. The figures depicted appear to be in a state of distress and anguish; their facial expressions are deeply troubled, and their hands are raised, perhaps in a gesture of desperation or pleading. The prominent use of sharp lines and fragmented forms contributes to the overall sense of turmoil and emotional rawness, characteristic of the Expressionist movement.
