The Barbarian Enemy. On the Soča Line, Austrian aviators shoot with machine guns over our column of wounded 1915

This piece, "The Barbarian Enemy," by Achille Beltrame, throws us right into the chaos of war, seen through the eyes of those caught in its grip. I can almost feel the ground shaking beneath my feet, just imagining Beltrame trying to capture this scene. What was he thinking as he worked? He probably just wanted to show the raw, unfiltered truth of the war around him. It feels like he's trying to communicate the intensity of the violence. Look at how the figures are arranged, scrambling up the rocky terrain, the wounded being carried—there's such a sense of urgency. The contrast between the stark greys and browns of the earth and uniforms and the bursts of red on the medical kits jumps out, creating a jarring sense of discord. Beltrame's painting is a stark reminder of the cost of war. It's a conversation with history, echoing through time, and reminding us of the importance of empathy. It leaves me contemplating the human condition.