12 Uhr Mittags 1919

Reinhold Nägele made this etching, *12 Uhr Mittags*, on paper. Look at the variety of marks and lines used to conjure this symbolic space. It really shows how artmaking is a process of building up layers, both physically and conceptually. The surface is alive with tiny etched lines, creating areas of light and shadow. The clock at the top of the frame has doors where figures stand. Below them, a snake. The whole scene is a swirling vortex of figures, both divine and demonic, pulling at the central figure of Christ on the cross. It all feels very personal. Every mark seems to have been made with careful consideration, contributing to the overall emotional intensity. There’s a real sense of urgency and drama. Nägele’s dreamlike imagery reminds me a little of William Blake’s visionary engravings. Both artists embrace ambiguity, inviting us to explore the depths of human experience through symbolic imagery. It's all about embracing the unknown and recognizing that art can be a journey of discovery.