Schwindel 1991

Siegfried Zademack painted "Schwindel" using oil on canvas, presenting us with a striking juxtaposition of the human form and symbolic representation. The central figure, a nude woman radiating light from her head, stands imposingly over a circle of wooden mannequins. Painted in Germany, the work calls to mind the country's history of figurative painting that uses the body to convey philosophical ideas. We might see this in terms of the historical associations between women and nature. The wooden figures could be interpreted as representing the objectification of the human form, particularly within the context of artistic institutions. Are these critics, patrons or art students, looking at art? The title, Schwindel, which translates as 'dizziness' or 'vertigo' could then be a commentary on the dizzying effects of power that surround the artworld. As art historians, our work involves delving into the cultural context and artistic traditions that underpin an artwork like this. By exploring these layers, we can appreciate how art acts as a mirror reflecting and critiquing the norms of its time.