Sturm 1925

Albin Egger-Lienz created "Sturm" amidst the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century Europe. This was a time marked by intense nationalism and the looming shadow of World War I. Egger-Lienz, deeply affected by the social and political unrest, channeled his anxieties into his art. "Sturm" powerfully conveys the emotional and physical toll of conflict on the working class. The figures, rendered in stark lines against a somber background, embody the era’s despair and disillusionment. Their postures communicate both physical struggle and emotional collapse. Egger-Lienz deviates from traditional heroic depictions of war, choosing instead to focus on the raw, human experience of suffering. The artwork serves as a poignant reminder of war's devastating impact on identity, society, and the individual psyche. It is not just a depiction of physical struggle, but an exploration of the psychological weight carried by those caught in its storm.