God Belly 1921

Ernst Barlach created “God Belly” using woodcut, a stark medium for a stark message. Barlach lived through the first World War, and his work often reflects the anxieties and spiritual quests of that era. Look closely and you'll see how the artist employs sharp contrasts between light and shadow to convey both physical and emotional dimensions. This imagery invokes religious narratives, but subverts traditional representations of God, challenging viewers to question established beliefs. The figures seem to struggle. What does this visual tension suggest about the relationship between humanity and divinity in a world marked by conflict? How does Barlach use the human form to convey complex ideas about faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in times of upheaval? Consider how the artwork encourages us to confront uncomfortable truths about power, suffering, and the human condition.