Works of art that express a hopeless/depressed tone might depict isolated individuals lost in deep despair and/or desolate scenes of broken neighborhoods or wasted landscapes. Beyond representation, art elements such as such as grays and dark values, very muted colors, and perhaps a splotchy or scumbled texture might contribute to a hopeless/depressed feeling.

An artist might impart a hopeless/depressed tone to a piece due to his or her own despondency, or the artist might choose to evoke this tone as a reflection of the character(s) or scene being portrayed. A hopeless/depressed tone might also be adopted to suit a piece that will be shown in a setting that demands an expression of despair.

Featured: Woman at the Cradle by Kathe Kollwitz