Untitled (with Dog and Axe) 1967

Editor: Here we have an etching by Georg Baselitz, *Untitled (with Dog and Axe)*. It's quite small, rendered in delicate lines. What strikes me is the disorienting composition. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Baselitz’s deliberate disruption of form serves a purpose. Considering his German background, his imagery often grapples with national identity in the postwar period, where traditional symbols and narratives were fraught with complexity. Editor: So, the dog and axe aren't straightforward symbols? Curator: Exactly. They’re destabilized, demanding a re-evaluation. Think about how institutions shape our understanding of iconography. Is Baselitz challenging the public's perception of German history? Editor: That's a lot to unpack. I guess even familiar images can hold complex political meaning. Curator: Precisely. Art can be a powerful vehicle for societal reflection.