Street in Old Part of Jerusalem 1935

Editor: This is Jakob Steinhardt’s "Street in Old Part of Jerusalem" from 1935. It’s a woodcut print, and the stark black and white really give it a dramatic feel, almost like a maze. What strikes you about it? Curator: The dramatic chiaroscuro certainly pulls us in, doesn't it? But more than just a dramatic effect, it evokes a deeper sense of history etched in stone. The deep blacks become shadows of memory, holding within them centuries of cultural weight. Notice how the sharp angles create a feeling of both protection and confinement? Editor: Yes, it feels both solid and a bit claustrophobic. The lines almost look like cracks or fissures. What could those represent? Curator: Perhaps they represent not just physical breaks, but also societal or spiritual fissures. The cityscape itself is a powerful symbol, especially Jerusalem. It is a loaded signifier, resonating differently across various cultures and religions, representing hope, conflict, pilgrimage... The figure in the street, almost swallowed by the architecture... does that resonate with any particular feeling for you? Editor: It does! A feeling of being dwarfed by history. Almost like being lost amidst these huge cultural and religious movements. Curator: Precisely. Steinhardt, through the symbolism of the city and its geometric forms, invites us to consider our place within a much larger narrative. The image becomes a mirror reflecting our own understanding of history, identity, and faith. Editor: That makes me think differently about cityscapes. It’s not just a pretty picture, but a loaded representation of time and identity. Curator: Absolutely. Steinhardt uses this particular cityscape not just to depict a place, but as a vessel carrying layers of emotional, historical, and psychological weight. This goes beyond just simple visual appeal.