On tue comme on respire/They kill as easily as they breathe 1937

Curator: Standing before us is an image called, "On tue comme on respire," which translates to "They kill as easily as they breathe" by Paul Éluard. The dimensions are quite small, about 9 by 14 centimeters. What strikes you first? Editor: The stark contrast, how the foreground figure is kneeling, poised in action, while another stands, seemingly unaffected. A strange indifference permeates the scene. Curator: It's disquieting, isn't it? The title suggests a chilling ease with violence. The composition directs our eyes from the foreground to the distant figures being apprehended. Editor: The use of grayscale emphasizes a somber mood. The figures are rendered with enough detail to be recognizable, yet remain somewhat anonymous, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. Curator: Indeed, the artist captures a specific moment, yet hints at a larger, more pervasive societal issue, leaving us to ponder the implications of such casual brutality. Editor: Yes, it's a small piece that leaves a big impression—a stark reflection on the normalization of violence, even today.