The Consequences of War: Mars leaving for war
Original title: The Consequences of War: Mars leaving for war
kurzbeschreibung
Jean Jacques Avril the Elder produced this engraving in 1778, showing the war god Mars setting out for battle. It belongs to his series of reproductive prints after celebrated models and presents an allegory of war's devastating effects: Mars stands at the centre, surrounded by lamenting women and children. The work was executed as an etching and is in the second state of two.
Description
Armoured and carrying a lance, Mars breaks free from the embrace of a naked woman with a headband who tries to hold him back. Several putti also intervene to thwart his departure. A woman in dark clothing turns away, while other figures hover through the air, emitting smoke or steam. The layout is charged with violent movement, evident in the positioning of the figures and the depiction of turmoil in the skies and on the ground. The monochrome etching uses hatching and contrasts to bring out the lighting and drama.
Context
The year 1778, when Avril the Elder presented this print, was marked by military conflicts in Europe. A painting by Peter Paul Rubens on the horrors of war served as the model. Avril was known for his reproductive engravings after famous paintings, through which pictorial ideas spread widely. The motif follows the tradition of Baroque allegory, which combines moral statements with dynamic visual language.
Impact
A compelling dramatic tension arises from the animated arrangement and the strong light-dark contrasts. The despair of the figures and the unstoppable drive of Mars create a menacing mood. The viewer is drawn into the action and experiences the inevitability of war.
Technique
This print is an engraving, in which the lines are incised into a copper plate. The second state suggests revisions or additions compared with the first. Fine hatching and cross-hatching produce nuanced shadows and textures that support the drama of the motif.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)