Portrait of Israel Ber Neumann 1914

This is Ludwig Meidner's etching "Portrait of Israel Ber Neumann," made in Germany in February 1914. The image is a window into the cultural and social anxieties of pre-war Germany. Meidner belonged to a generation of Expressionist artists who felt that the rapid modernization of German society had created a profound spiritual crisis. Look at the frenetic lines of this portrait, the almost grotesque exaggeration of Neumann's features, and the way Meidner seems to be using a traditional medium to create a jarringly modern image. These techniques reflect the Expressionist desire to challenge the old social order, and to critique the institutions of academic art. To understand the cultural forces at play here, we might consult period journals, manifestos, and exhibition catalogs. These resources help us understand the role that art played in shaping new ways of seeing and being in a rapidly changing world. By studying the social context of this work, we can appreciate the power of art to challenge existing social norms.