Woman with Candle 1920

Editor: This woodcut is titled "Woman with Candle" by Max Beckmann. The stark black and white creates a really dramatic effect. What's your take on it? Curator: Beckmann, working between wars, often depicted figures grappling with societal upheaval. Considering the candle, what symbolic role might light play within the broader historical context of that time? Editor: Is it about hope? Or maybe enlightenment in a dark time? Curator: Perhaps, but also consider who holds the light. Is it the woman's responsibility, or is she a symbol of resilience despite external forces threatening to extinguish it? Editor: I never thought about it that way. It makes the piece feel much more powerful and less passive. Curator: Exactly! Engaging with art through these lenses of power, responsibility, and historical context allows for a richer, more nuanced understanding.