I Think I Hear Somebody Knocking c. 1945

Editor: Clifford Kennedy Berryman's pen drawing, "I Think I Hear Somebody Knocking," circa 1945, is a striking image. The frantic energy of the lines, coupled with the two figures at the table, gives it a nervous, almost darkly comic feel. What symbols jump out at you when you look at this work? Curator: Well, the most immediate are those "knocking" borders, aren’t they? Poland, France, Belgium – each represented as a door practically vibrating off its hinges. Consider the cultural memory embedded in these images. The swastikas worn by the officers are visual shorthands that evoke a visceral reaction in many viewers, signifying an aggressive political ideology. And then there’s the single thought bubble. It encapsulates denial, doesn't it? Editor: Denial, yes! So, the knocking isn't just physical; it represents something deeper? Curator: Precisely! It is the sound of reckoning. Berryman is tapping into the anxieties of the time, representing collapsing power through visual symbols of borders being breached, both literally and figuratively. Even the inscription "HIMM LER" evokes connotations to his historical persona and actions. Do you see a potential connection to folklore about uninvited guests and ominous portents? Editor: Now that you mention it, the "knocking" has an allegorical quality – almost like Death knocking at the door. And the choice of the word "somebody" as if there's willful ignorance on the part of the characters to knowing who it is! Curator: Indeed! It's a masterful use of caricature to convey a powerful message about responsibility and consequence. Berryman’s skill lies in condensing complex historical events and emotional states into readily understandable symbolic imagery. Editor: This was an eye-opening exploration of symbolism in historical art. I learned a lot by looking beyond the surface of the artwork. Curator: And I enjoyed how you quickly saw and related visual depictions with your subjective understanding, bridging history and modern viewers.