“The Sob,” created in 1939 by artist David Alfaro Siqueiros, is a genre painting executed in pyroxylin. This poignant piece, characterized by its strong expressionist qualities, measures 122 x 61 centimeters. It is presently housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork depicts a figure consumed by an intense emotional state, with their head bowed and the hands clenched over the face. The use of pyroxylin adds a textured depth to the painting, reinforcing the rawness and vividness of the emotion being portrayed. The figure’s muscular arms are prominently displayed, contributing to the powerful and dramatic composition. The choice of dark hues and muted colors further echoes the somber mood, encapsulating a moment of profound sorrow and despair. The intimate scale of the painting invites viewers to engage closely with the visceral portrayal of human suffering.
