Uprising 1910

Lyonel Feininger’s painting "Uprising," now at MoMA, pulses with vibrant energy through figures clutching flags as they surge forward, set against a backdrop of angular buildings. The image evokes a sense of collective ferment reminiscent of a bacchanal— a scene of ecstatic frenzy. The figure brandishing a flag recalls classical depictions of Nike, the winged goddess of victory. This symbol, originating in antiquity, has evolved through various guises, often representing triumph or defiance. Think of the French Revolution's "Liberty Leading the People" where the flag rallied the masses. Feininger taps into a deep well of cultural memory. He harnesses the power of symbols to awaken our collective subconscious, stirring primal emotions of rebellion and transformation. It is a cyclical resurgence of symbols, evolving with each new historical context, and reflecting our eternal quest for change.