Pariah: The Legend 2: Hill of the dead 1924

Curator: Ernst Barlach, born in 1870, created this evocative drawing, "Pariah: The Legend 2: Hill of the Dead." Its dimensions are intimate, about 6 3/4 x 8 1/16 inches. Editor: Intimate indeed! The scale amplifies the claustrophobia of the scene. Is that a body being cradled or suffocated? Curator: Consider the historical context. Barlach, living through immense social upheaval, often grappled with themes of guilt, atonement, and the search for redemption within oppressive systems. The woman becomes a symbol here. Editor: It's the labor of the line that draws me in. Notice the density of the hatching, creating such a dark, almost oppressive atmosphere around the figures. What materials did he use? Curator: We don't have specific material information, but the expressive quality suggests charcoal or a similarly yielding medium. The stark contrast speaks volumes about the artist’s despair and the figures' moral ambiguity. Editor: Absolutely. It leaves you pondering not only the narrative but the physical act of making, the weight of the material, and the artist's hand. Curator: A potent blend of historical consciousness and material awareness. Editor: Precisely, art as both reflection and tangible presence.