Composition Futuriste 1914

Jules Schmalzigaug's "Composition Futuriste" pulses with the dynamism that defined the Futurist movement. This canvas, awash in fragmented forms, presents a vision of modernity driven by speed and technology. Observe the recurring motif of the wheel, a symbol that stretches back to ancient civilizations. Once a representation of cyclical time and cosmic order, here, in the early 20th century, it transforms into an emblem of industrial progress, seen in the cogs of machines. Yet, the image is destabilized, broken apart. It evokes a sense of anxiety. Consider how this symbol echoes in modern advertisements, where wheels represent movement and adventure, but also in the stark contrast of war machinery. The Futurist artists sought to capture the psychological impact of our rapidly changing world. The wheel remains a potent symbol, bearing the weight of our collective hopes and fears of progress.