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Karel Černý was somewhat of a solitaire. He was not a member of any group (except for the Mánes Union of Fine Arts, with whom he regularly exhibited) and consciously eschewed all schools and movements. Nevertheless, his work shows a clear pattern reflecting the influence of contemporary tendencies and events. Weeping Girl, which is a part of the Wailers series, is an existential expression of the hopelessness of war. It was painted in a strongly expressive manner, mixing several influences at once - the disintegration of form in the face touches on Cubism, while the vague object (either an obelisk or the ruins of a classical column) and the white stylized clouds recall metaphysical painting and Surrealism. Oil on canvas, signed and dated on top left "K. Černý 45".