Fifty Days at Iliam. Ilians in Battle 1978

Cy Twombly made this piece, Ilians in Battle, part of his Fifty Days at Illiam series, with oil, crayon, and graphite on canvas. Twombly's art often grapples with classical themes, filtered through a distinctly modern lens, challenging traditional academic approaches. In this work, the chaotic scribbles and fragmented text evoke the Trojan War, a cornerstone of Western literature and art, but there is no heroic portrayal. Instead, the piece captures the confusion and violence of war. Made in Italy, its creation occurred during a period of intense social and political upheaval. Twombly avoids any clear ideological stance, making it challenging to align his work with any particular progressive or conservative movement. He critiques the grand narratives of history, suggesting the futility of war. Understanding this work benefits from archival research into Twombly's influences, the cultural context of post-war art, and a formal analysis. These shed light on how Twombly engaged with the classics, questioned traditional art institutions, and reflected on the enduring relevance of the ancient world in contemporary society.