Loneliness by Paul Delvaux (Interpretation and Analysis)

Loneliness
Source: Daily Art Magazine

In this time of social distancing, I thought it would be interesting to examine a painting that deals with isolation. I did some research and decided to bring you this painting, entitled Loneliness, by Belgian painted Paul Delvaux.

The painting depicts a young woman walking along an empty street at night. Only her back is visible, signaling her separation from the viewer and the disconnect between her and the outside world. To the left, a train rolls past, a symbol of the transience and impermanence of life. Delvaux implies a visual comparison between the girl and the train, both follow a solitary path, traveling alone into the night. There is something very bleak and sad about this image.

To my eyes, this interpretation of loneliness is somewhat unique to the modern age. Loneliness dates to 1956. In the years after the World Wars (particularly WWI), men and women began to become disillusioned with life, mainly as a result of the mind-numbingly horrific loss of life during the wars. Nihilism emerged as a philosophy, and individuals began to reject the traditional social structures that existed before the First World War. Consequently, the way people created meaning in their lives also shifted, and paintings like Loneliness are the result.

The painting reflects the realities of modern life, hitting upon the feelings of purposelessness and isolation that gnaw at the core of modern society. It is a nihilist painting, striking at the emptiness and meaninglessness of all experience.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.