The Elfin King 2 [Father and son gallop furiously away] 1924

Curator: This is Ernst Barlach's striking image, "The Elfin King 2 [Father and son gallop furiously away]." Editor: It's raw, urgent. The scratching lines create so much anxiety. I feel the wind, the fear, everything's blurred in the father's desperate flight. Curator: Barlach, born in 1870, lived through immense social upheaval. His art often explored the human condition amidst chaos. This is a lithograph, so the stark blacks and whites enhance the drama. Editor: The child looks almost lifeless, doesn’t he? Clutched in the father's arms, a dark shadow against the whirlwind around them. It’s heartbreaking to think of the context of his life and that stark imagery. Curator: Indeed. Barlach's works frequently engaged with themes of mortality and despair, reflecting his experiences during the World Wars and the rise of political extremism. Editor: It's a visual scream, isn’t it? A primal cry against loss, against the forces that tear families apart. Even now, this image carries such a punch.