Sonnet 27 c. 1931

Isac Friedlander created this print, "Sonnet 27," using woodcut, a technique deeply rooted in the expressionist movement. Friedlander’s artistic practice was shaped by his identity as a Jewish man living through times of immense social and political upheaval in Europe. This piece depicts a figure in bed, gazing towards a window where we see a geometric, ghostly figure. The high contrast and sharp lines evoke the emotional intensity characteristic of expressionism. Given the title "Sonnet 27," we can see the artist grappling with themes of longing, absence, and spiritual seeking. The figure at the window might symbolize the artist's search for meaning. Friedlander was later deported to Auschwitz, survived, and immigrated to Israel. "Sonnet 27" thus serves as a poignant reflection on the artist’s personal history and the cultural atmosphere of pre-war Europe. It embodies a profound sense of hope, despair, and a search for solace amidst the turbulence of a world on the brink.