Stalingrad 

Fernand Léger created this ink on paper drawing, “Stalingrad,” in France. Look at how the crane looms over the scene, a stark symbol of industrial might and the potential for both creation and destruction. This motif of towering machinery dates back to the Tower of Babel, where ambition and technological prowess meet divine retribution. The broken architecture mirrors the chaos of war, recalling images of ancient ruins and the cyclical nature of empires rising and falling. The figures, anonymous and unified in their struggle, are reminiscent of classical friezes depicting scenes of battle and sacrifice. Yet, here they are not heroes but laborers, their toil embodying the collective trauma and resilience of a city under siege. The stark black and white contrast intensifies the emotional impact, echoing the stark realities of conflict. This visual vocabulary—of destruction and rebuilding, of man against machine—resonates through time, a poignant reminder of our shared history.