Czóbel Béla, Madár 1956 ( Őszi Kert Könyv Illusztráció) 

Béla Czóbel made this ink drawing, titled "Bird," in 1956 as an illustration for the book "Autumn Garden". Czóbel, a Hungarian artist, spent significant time in Paris, absorbing influences from various avant-garde movements. However, as a Jew living through World War II, his identity and freedom were threatened, forcing him to seek refuge. In this context, this small drawing of a bird becomes resonant. Birds often symbolize freedom and escape. This representation is not idealized; the bird is rendered with quick, almost frantic lines, perhaps mirroring the artist’s own sense of urgency and anxiety during a tumultuous period. The sketch-like quality adds to the emotional intensity, suggesting a fleeting moment captured in ink. Consider how the simple image of a bird, drawn with such immediacy, can speak to larger themes of identity, survival, and the human desire for freedom.