Who painted Prisoners Resting?

Prisoners Resting was painted by Ervin Bossanyi in 1916.

Where can I see Prisoners Resting?

Prisoners Resting is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Prisoners Resting

Ervin Bossanyi , 1916

Prisoners Resting is a paint painting by Ervin Bossanyi. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Prisoners Resting is a 1916 watercolor painting by Ervin Bossányi depicting a scene of prisoners in a state of repose within a confined, outdoor setting adjacent to small buildings, with livestock and a distant smokestack.

Subject & Meaning

The painting's focus on relaxed prisoners amidst humble surroundings may suggest a moment of rare tranquility or resignation within a harsh environment, inviting reflection on the human condition under duress.

Technique & Style

Bossányi employed soft, muted tones for the distant hills, contrasting with darker, rougher brushstrokes for the figures and animals, resulting in a loose, sketchy appearance indicative of potential outdoor execution.

Context

The inclusion of a smokestack in the background hints at the proximity of industrial or possibly prison facilities, situating the scene at the intersection of natural and man-made, potentially oppressive, environments.

History & Provenance

Currently housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the painting's creation in 1916 may contextualize it within wartime Europe, though direct thematic links to the conflict are not overtly depicted.

Artist & collection

Artist

Ervin Bossanyi

Ervin Bossányi (3 March 1891 in Rigyica / Riđica, Austria-Hungary – 11 July 1975 in Eastcote in Greater London, England) was a Hungarian artist, who worked mainly in northern Germany until his emigration in 1934.