The Lost River of Life Painting

The painting "The Lost River of Life" by Martin Burri is a composition divided into two sections by a central river. The left section is dominated by a purple mountain, which houses a golden heart and is covered in gold. This could be interpreted as a symbol of value, importance or exuberance of consumerism. At the foot of the mountain, two figures are depicted in a bitter argument. In contrast, the right section shows several hills in earthy tones and textures. Interspersed between these hills are abstract portraits and text elements reminiscent of commemorative cards, possibly alluding to memory or loss. In the upper part of this section, faint hints of a city map can be seen, leading towards a beach or coastal strip. The use of different artistic techniques and styles allows for connections to different art movements. For example, the emotive coloring and abstraction are reminiscent of expressionism, while the dreamlike and symbolic imagery could have elements of surrealism.