Paths of Glory

http://www.linesandcolors.com/images/2008-05/nevinson_450.jpg

This is an oil painting by C.R.W. Nevinson called "Paths of Glory". I have found that pretty much all of the artwork that comes up when I type "WWI Artwork" into my search-bar are about the horrors of war. There really isn't a single piece that shows any type of victory or glorious moment. Then again what else should I expect? War is a horrible thing and I couldn't even fathom what it is like for an everyday citizen to go out and experience these horrors for their country, where they don't even know one percent of the people who reside there. This painting like all of the others shows what it should, two soldiers whose lives have been taken because they are brave enough to go out and fight a war that isn't theirs, but their governments. I am willing to bet that these men were just barely in their twenties, and that makes this artwork all the more depressing. The title of this painting is "Paths of Glory", both of these men set out on a path to fight for their country hoping that it would maybe make them heroes when or if they came home. Sure these men are heroes, but they would never get to experience the joy on people's faces when the war was over. Is it really necessary to sacrifice so much for a simple four letter word? I think that the whole point Nevinson was making with this painting is that so many young men set out on their "Paths of Glory" only to not make it home.