Panicked Fright 1928 - 1930

Curator: Ernst Barlach’s lithograph, "Panicked Fright", now housed at the Harvard Art Museums, evokes such rawness. Editor: Absolutely, it’s unnerving. The angular figures, nearly swallowed by the dark landscape, project a shared terror. Curator: Barlach, born in 1870, witnessed immense social upheaval. He used the printmaking process to explore themes of anxiety and alienation, making it accessible to a wide audience. Editor: The stark contrast achieved through lithography really amplifies the drama. It's as though the very stone rebels, mirroring the subjects' internal turmoil. Curator: Indeed. The figures’ coarse clothing speaks to their class. Their desperation isn’t abstract; it's rooted in material conditions. Editor: I imagine the wind howling, their cloaks flapping. It's a visceral piece; it makes my skin crawl in the best way. Curator: Understanding the socio-political context enhances our viewing of this artwork and adds dimension to the emotion it evokes. Editor: I agree. This glimpse into raw human fear feels terribly relevant, even now.