Afocalypse 1953

Camille Bryen created this oil on canvas painting titled “Afocalypse”, though its date remains unknown. Bryen was a key figure in the post-World War II art scene in France, a period marked by a desire to break from tradition and explore new forms of expression. The title of the painting is intriguing, combining "Africa" with "Apocalypse," which may suggest a commentary on the impact of colonialism or perhaps a broader reflection on the state of the world during the Cold War. The painting itself is a dense network of lines and colors, evoking a sense of chaos and fragmentation, which was typical of the lyrical abstraction movement. The interpretation of abstract art is always a complex task, requiring us to consider the artist’s biography, the cultural context, and the formal elements of the work itself. Such research can help us better understand the social and institutional forces that shaped Bryen’s vision.