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Carel Willink
End of the World, 1963
End of the World is one of Carel Willink’s (1900-1983) late works, as are Parachutists and Landscape with Nuclear Power Plant. In nineteen apocalyptic paintings, the modern world of war, technology and science clashes with the ancient civilisation. In these works, the past always loses.
In this p
...
ainting, a mountain road ends abruptly in an abyss; wooden beams block the way – or has somebody already gone through? To the left, large palls of smoke rise above a city in the distance. The ashen brown, grey and blue shades bring a sense of melancholy to the scene. The lack of people or animals adds to the ominous vibe. Willink’s characteristic way of depicting stones and rocks – using a palette knife – is clear to see.
Willink’s fascination with the bestseller The Decline of the West (1918-1922) by cultural philosopher Oswald Spengler (1880-1936) – which he read as a student – influenced this series of late works, in which themes introduced by Spengler such as ‘progress brings decline’ and ‘the Western civilisation is dying’ became primary subjects.
Artist
Carel Willink
Title
End of the World
Year
1963
Technique
Oil on canvas
Size
80 x 100 cm (h x w)
Type of object
Painting
Copyright
© Pictoright/Sylvia Willink
This work is protected by copyright. You need permission from the creator or his heir to download, edit, copy or publish it.
