The King And Hon. Salandra visit the front of our war, amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the troops 1915

Achille Beltrame made this image of the King and Hon. Salandra visiting the front of the war, and you can see his approach to color and mark-making as part of an ongoing process. The colors in this image, mostly muted greens and browns, feel like they’ve been layered. The surface has a certain kind of flatness, and you can almost feel the texture of the paper. If you look at the way the soldiers are painted, you can see quick, confident strokes. Take a look at the solider at the front of the image, the one whose back is facing us. Notice how a few simple marks create the folds of his uniform and the shape of his backpack. This economy of line reminds me of some war photography; the way it captures a moment with clarity and immediacy. The way Beltrame works is similar to someone like Otto Dix. Both artists were involved in war, both artists were able to portray what that meant using very simple marks. Ultimately, it’s not just about what’s depicted, but how it’s depicted.