Revolution c. 1921

Karl Wiener created this expressionist watercolor painting, Revolution. Its modest materials, paper, pigment, and pencil, belie the immensity of its subject. Notice how the red 'flame' of revolution flickers above a jumbled skyline rendered in browns, oranges and reds. The built environment seems to writhe and buckle, as though the societal forces at work in it are beyond control. The artist, with their brush and a limited palette, deftly captures the essence of a world in turmoil. The radiant brushstrokes of yellow and red convey the incendiary energy, and hint at the transformative nature of the depicted moment. The act of painting itself, with its repetitive gestures and subtle variations, can be seen as a metaphor for the incremental yet inexorable process of social change. It invites us to consider the relationship between artistic labor and the broader struggles for political and economic justice. By attending to the materials and making of art, we gain insight into the deep cultural forces at play.