This Halloween week, I’ll be delving into the darker side of things—exploring themes of violence, terror, and the eerie aspects of the human psyche as captured in art. Paul Cézanne’s The Murder (1867-1868) serves as an ideal entry point, embodying an unfiltered portrayal of primal violence that leaves the viewer both captivated and unsettled. Seeing this piece in person at the Art Institute of Chicago was an unforgettable experience; the raw intensity of the figures and the dark palette feel even more immediate and haunting when encountered face-to-face. Known primarily for his later work in landscapes and still lifes, Cézanne here confronts a darker subject, plumbing the disturbing depths of human aggression and brutality with an intensity that stands out within his body of work.
In The Murder, Cézanne employs a dark, almost monochromatic palette, dominated by deep shadows and limited light, which casts an oppressive tone over the scene. The figures are partially obscured, shrouded in darkness as though they—and their actions—belong to a forbidden or hidden world. The central figures—two aggressors over a helpless victim—are caught in a moment of physical tension, their bodies twisted and forceful, drawing the viewer into the immediacy and physicality of the moment. The colors, dominated by greens, browns, and blacks, enhance the painting’s grim atmosphere, isolating the figures from any discernible background and forcing a visceral focus on the violence itself.
Cézanne’s composition, with exaggerated, almost distorted forms, underscores the brutality of the scene. His brushwork is expressive, mirroring the violent act depicted. Unlike traditional historical or allegorical scenes, where violence is often romanticized or idealized, Cézanne’s figures are raw and almost grotesque, emphasizing the primal and unsettling nature of the act. The attackers’ postures suggest an animalistic power, their bodies hunched and muscles tensed, intensifying the painting’s unsettling mood.
Beyond the visual, The Murder invites a psychological contemplation of violence. Cézanne does not provide a clear narrative—there is no backstory for the characters or motivation for the crime—rendering the scene universal and timeless. The lack of context compels viewers to confront violence as a broader human phenomenon, one that is latent yet omnipresent. Devoid of any clear setting or specifics, the painting becomes symbolic, a meditation on the darker facets of humanity often concealed beneath societal norms.
This work reflects Cézanne’s fascination with the raw and unrefined elements of life, a theme influenced by the Romanticism of his time, particularly the works of Eugène Delacroix and Gustave Courbet. While Cézanne absorbed aspects of their emphasis on emotion and untamed beauty, here he forges a more introspective path, using violence not merely as spectacle but as a reflection on human nature. The Murder stands as an unsettling yet thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, marking a pivotal point in Cézanne’s early work before he transitioned to the structured, analytical style of his later years.
Through The Murder, Cézanne compels us to confront the uncomfortable truths about violence within the human psyche. This piece epitomizes his willingness to push artistic boundaries, blending color, composition, and raw emotion to engage viewers on a deeply psychological level. As part of this week’s exploration of darker themes in art, The Murder serves as a potent reminder of the unsettling yet enduring place violence holds in human existence.