The Sunken Cathedral 1919

Curator: Sirak Skitnik created this watercolor and oil painting titled "The Sunken Cathedral" in 1919. It's quite striking. Editor: It certainly evokes a particular mood. A somber, almost suffocating atmosphere. The hazy colors and swirling forms contribute to this feeling of being submerged. Curator: Absolutely. Consider the historical context. World War I had just ended, leaving a fractured Europe in its wake. Skitnik, deeply affected by the conflict, reflects this through the art he creates during this period. You can almost read it as an allegory of faith, or perhaps the decay of faith. Editor: The lack of distinct forms actually heightens this feeling of uncertainty and decline. Look at the brushwork—so loose and suggestive. What appears to be a crucifix is rendered ghost-like and nearly dissolves into the background, while a group of figures nearby fade into the walls as if they, too, were once a part of the structure. Curator: Note, also, the Symbolist undertones with an overt influence of Expressionism. You see it especially in the dramatic distortion of perspective to emphasize the emotional weight of the scene. In particular, look to that large mournful figure depicted on the lower right! Editor: A fantastic demonstration of art as a reflection of its time! The limited use of contrasting tones definitely creates that gloomy atmosphere, almost resembling the dark, blurry afterimages you get from looking directly at the sun for too long. Curator: I find it interesting how he utilizes religious imagery as both an indictment of the atrocities witnessed and also, strangely, as an instrument of hope or even salvation amidst the war's devastation. Skitnik creates a dreamlike space for processing such social upheaval. Editor: Yes, that combination of techniques is thought-provoking, and contributes to its melancholic charm, don't you think? The lack of defined space or dimension pushes our minds to examine form and deconstruct the composition, inviting us into the picture. Curator: Indeed, a stark reminder of how war impacts not just the physical world but also our collective psyche, masterfully executed. Editor: Ultimately, it prompts me to question what structures are built to last.