Blutige Kräuze c. 1923

Karl Wiener created ‘Blutige Kräuze’ or ‘Bloody Crosses’ with watercolour and ink, and although we can't be sure of the exact date, we can still see the social conditions that shaped its creation. Wiener produced the work in a period of enormous upheaval across Europe. The image of a field of blood-red crosses against the black sky is striking. The crosses, though a symbol of hope and resurrection in Christian tradition, here evoke loss and suffering. Wiener may have been reflecting on the staggering loss of life during the First World War or perhaps he was presciently commenting on the violence to come as the Nazi party gained power in Germany. This artwork, in its stark simplicity, avoids glorifying conflict and forces us to confront its devastating human cost. To fully understand this work, scholars often consult historical archives, personal letters, and contemporary news reports. These sources provide invaluable insights into the cultural anxieties of the time, enriching our comprehension.