The Witchlight Hour 2020

Jana Brike painted ‘The Witchlight Hour’ without a known date using oil on canvas. The painting depicts two figures in a body of water with a partially submerged Statue of Liberty in the background. The symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, typically associated with freedom and immigration in the United States, is complicated by its dilapidated state here. The water, the lotus flowers, and the butterflies all have symbolic meanings across different cultures, relating to purity, love, transformation, and rebirth. Brike seems to be pulling together a variety of images that allow for a fluid approach to the meaning of the work. Brike was born in Latvia, and although this painting contains distinctively American imagery, it can be viewed as part of a wider global move towards increased communication across national borders. The contemporary art world has become increasingly interconnected. This painting suggests themes of historical awareness and change in the face of global crises. As art historians, it is our job to consider that history and contextualize contemporary artwork, which often comments on our present socio-political moment.