A Dawn 1914
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson British
Not on view
A Dawn, 1914 depicts a mass of French soldiers moving swiftly through winding city streets. The zigzag line of repeated forms and figures is seemingly endless, an impression emphasized by the dramatic receding perspective and elevated vantage point. Most of Nevinson’s images of soldiers show them on a battlefield or lined up on a desolate road. Here, despite the power of their raised bayonets, which seem to puncture the air, the troops are evidently fatigued, and their position reveals them to be exposed and vulnerable to attack. The war imagery, repetitive geometric shapes, and sense of force and speed demonstrate Nevinson’s interest in Futurism; he diverged from the movement, however, in refusing to extol warfare.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
