He Sat Rigid in His Place (Book XII: A Judicial Error, facing p.528) 1949

Fritz Eichenberg's 1949 woodcut, "He Sat Rigid in His Place," is a dynamic depiction of an audience witnessing a dramatic event, captured in stark black and white. The composition is divided into two sections: an upper gallery where figures lean out, their expressions ranging from curiosity to amusement, and a lower section featuring a row of seated figures. The viewer's eye is drawn to the central figure, a man seated with his mouth open, a dramatic expression indicative of the play's intensity. This work demonstrates Eichenberg's mastery of the woodcut medium, highlighting his use of bold lines and dramatic contrasts to create a compelling scene.