The Siege of Tortona, or The Thirst of the People of Tortona (La Costanza dei tortonesi) 1866 - 1867

Andrea Gastaldi created "The Siege of Tortona, or The Thirst of the People of Tortona" in the 19th century. This drawing captures a moment of extreme hardship, reflecting a period in Italy marked by political upheaval and social struggle. The work depicts the human cost of conflict, the figures embodying suffering, resilience, and desperation. A woman throws her fist up in the air, another pulls on the water jug, as a man who looks as though he's been injured tries to assist her. What’s powerful here is Gastaldi's focus on the emotional and physical toll exacted on ordinary people, rendered in raw, unflinching detail. There is a striking intimacy in this portrayal of collective suffering. Gastaldi invites us to reflect on how communities endure under siege, and how they grapple with the fundamental need for survival. The drawing serves as a potent reminder of the human capacity to persevere.