Untitled 1959

This untitled print was made by Emil Schumacher, a German artist, using etching. Etching is an printmaking technique that uses acid to corrode a design into a metal plate. Schumacher came of age during a period of intense political and artistic upheaval in Germany. As a young artist during the second world war, he was prohibited by the Nazi regime to create art. After the war, he became a leading figure in the revival of abstract art in West Germany. This work, with its chaotic lines and textures, reflects the sense of disorientation and uncertainty that permeated post-war German society. The absence of a clear focal point or discernible subject matter challenges traditional notions of art as a means of representation or communication. As art historians, we can delve into the archives, read period newspapers and journals, and examine the artist's biography to gain a deeper understanding of this image within its social and institutional context. In doing so, we can better appreciate its power to challenge established norms and provoke critical reflection on the human condition.