"They thunder forth from their clouds about gentleness and forbearance, while they sacrifice human victims to the God of love." ("Da donnern sie Sanftmut und Duldung aus ihren Wolken und bringen dem Gott der Liebe Menschenopfer.") 1921 - 1922

Editor: This is George Grosz’s ink drawing, "They thunder forth from their clouds about gentleness and forbearance, while they sacrifice human victims to the God of love,” created between 1921 and 1922. The priest looming over the war-torn landscape strikes a powerfully unsettling image. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Grosz presents a scathing critique of institutional power, particularly religion, in the aftermath of World War I. Look at how the priest, positioned beneath a blood-stained cross, almost seems to bless the carnage below. Editor: Yes, the blood is a really jarring element! The artist pairs it with the cleric who appears to condone violence, despite preaching the opposite. It almost suggests the church sanctions warfare, cloaking brutality under a veil of moral righteousness. Curator: Precisely. The German title points towards a brutal critique on nationalism. Grosz is suggesting how power structures benefit from such horrors while deflecting blame from themselves. Does the artist take a position here? Or do they aim at generating more questions than answers? Editor: This is something I noticed. There’s definitely a clear condemnation of violence and the role of religion in perpetuating it. The artist seems to aim to shock and challenge the viewer’s perception, not merely present an argument. The cartoonish, satirical elements don't obscure the deeper, more troubling themes. Curator: The Expressionist style amplifies this, doesn't it? Think about how it contributes to this overwhelming sense of distortion and moral decay? And to what extent are they successful? Editor: That’s fascinating. It makes me think about the use of art as a form of protest and social commentary, even today. Thank you! Curator: A critical lens helps to unveil such profound statements, doesn't it?