A look at iconic paintings in the time of Delhi pollution

Delhi, for more than a week now, has been trying hard to breathe as it finds itself slowly and cruelly being smothered by the smoky pillow of death. People are labouring to breathe the poisonous fumes that have covered the city and its neighbouring areas, and they are suffering for the same. And we sort of deserve it. The weather we may not control, but the pollution really is our doing.

This pestilential, weather, however seems to have inspired some rebellious art. Inedible India’s sarcastic take on this near-apocalyptic fate of the capital is both insightful and funny.

But what took the cake was Pune-based visual artist Adrita Das’ rendition of The Lovers by Rene Magritte. In this painting we can see the iconic masked couple engaging in a passionate kiss in front of a smoggy India Gate. The masks are what made this the perfect frame.

Inspired by her, I decided to use my questionable Photoshop skills to see if more iconic art could be inspired by real life. What would these paintings look like, had the artists been choking and coughing in this delightful weather, while they were creating them?

Also read - How North India's pollution levels sound through musical notes