The Tragic Dimension in Plastic Art: A Critical Study in Light of Edmund Feldman’s Approach

Tragedy, in visual arts, has existed since ancient times, as seen by Pharaonic paintings depicting grave ceremonies. However, sad expressiveness took on a new dimension in contemporary art, particularly during the First and Second World Wars. The major setbacks experienced by the world turned visual art into a means of expressing various clashes and crises, whether political, social, or even psychological. This is evident in artistic icons that reflected political conflict and its consequences, such as the painting "Guernica" by the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso, or inner conflict as seen in "The Scream" by Edvard Munch. Accordingly, this paper aims to introduce the concept of the visual art painting and its formal and implicit elements, thereby highlighting the tragic character in the artwork. Throughout its history, visual art has included many masterpieces whose contents vary some artworks reflect the prosperity of society, while others provide us with a representation of the political situation. The artistic painting, composed of a collection of lines and symbols, is a visual message that contains many concepts presented by the artist to the viewer. The visual artwork serves as the artist’s notebook, requiring us to analyze and interpret it. The tragic images presented by the artist are nothing but a simulation of the human wound, confronting us with a visual tragedy that speaks to the viewer in a visual language, in which the emotional state is intertwined with the artist’s philosophical vision. Thus, the artwork becomes a space for contemplation, allowing us to discern the artist's intention and purpose behind their artistic creation.