Over the Prey 1940 - 1944

Arnold Peter Weisz-Kubínčan created “Over the Prey,” with an unknown medium and date, against a backdrop of immense social and political upheaval. Born in 1898, his life was tragically cut short in 1944. This painting, with its obscured figures lurking in the forest, evokes a sense of unease. Weisz-Kubínčan was of Jewish descent and lived through a period marked by rising antisemitism and persecution. Although this work does not explicitly address these themes, one cannot ignore the historical context that shaped the artist's life and, potentially, his artistic expression. What does it mean to be a figure concealed within nature, rather than standing boldly in the light? The gaze in this picture is directed towards us, but is it accusatory or pleading? Perhaps this painting is about the vulnerability and fear experienced by those who were systematically targeted and dehumanized during this era. In its subtle way, the painting stands as a testament to the human cost of intolerance and hatred.