It’s a curious scene and, unless the artist has some degree of fame or we can read the signature, I think it more likely to be attributed if we can figure out what it depicts. It’s difficult to believe it’s just a random depiction of some tribal people having a fight.
My observations (and perhaps they will trigger a thought in someone’s head) would be as follows:
- Whatever is happening is either beside a tree-lined river or lake with hills or low mountains in the background. The trees don’t appear to be palms or conifers. The absence of any clothing would seem to suggest a warm climate.
- Everyone seems to be completely naked. No headgear, footwear, protective clothing, jewellery or other adornments. No tattoos or body paint.
- There’s nothing else really to give a clue to ethnicity or culture, except that some ethnic races of African and Oriental origin can be ruled out. Everyone is male, clean-shaven (possibly a couple of beards in evidence), and with relatively short straight hair in both light and dark colours.
- Most of the participants are unarmed. There are no close-combat weapons such as clubs, or bladed items and no bows. The only weapons in evidence seem to be long javelin-type spears, those carrying them are at the outer edges of the melee, and they seem to be fleeing rather than fighting.
- As a scenario, it doesn’t look like two opposing groups in conflict. It looks more like an attempt to overthrow a ‘leader’ within a group or challenge his authority, the attempt being largely being fended off, aided perhaps by some unseen force (metaphorically). The central figure looks to be that ‘leader’, in a gesture of strong defiance, despite those immediately around him seemingly attempting to seize him. One appears to have grabbed him by the hair from behind. Most of the others seem to be fleeing in fear or have been repulsed, with some having been killed or injured and thrown to the ground.
Ring any bells?
