"States of Mind II: Those Who Go" is a seminal oil on canvas painting created by Umberto Boccioni in 1911. This work forms the middle component of Boccioni's ambitious States of Mind trilogy, a series that fundamentally redefined the visual representation of speed, simultaneity, and psychological impact, themes crucial to the burgeoning Italian Futurist movement. Executed during a period of intense experimentation for the artist, the canvas captures the sensation and emotional chaos associated with traveling by train, specifically portraying the travelers departing and the dynamic force of movement itself.
Boccioni employs a technique deeply rooted in Divisionism and Cubism, breaking down forms and colors to capture not only the object but also its trajectory through time and space. The composition relies on forceful diagonal lines and chaotic, intersecting forms that symbolize the blur of figures, objects, and external environments rushing past the viewer. Unlike the more explicit locomotive imagery found in the preceding work of the series, States of Mind II: Those Who Go emphasizes pure energetic flow, translating the speed and sound of the railway journey into raw visual dynamism. Boccioni sought to synthesize the physical passage of travel with the emotional state of those who are moving.
Created in 1911, this painting is one of the most significant early expressions of Futurist painting, reflecting Boccioni's decisive move away from traditional figurative representation. The artist's profound contribution to the Italian avant-garde movement remains influential in modern abstract traditions. This key work resides in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, where it serves as a primary example of early 20th-century visual innovation. While the original oil on canvas painting is carefully preserved within the museum, its enduring popularity ensures that high-quality prints and reproductions are widely studied today, particularly as access to modern masterworks increases.
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