Untitled (Stairs in a Town) 1927

Karl Zerbe made this watercolor painting, "Untitled (Stairs in a Town)," sometime in the mid-twentieth century. A seemingly simple rendering of urban architecture, it hints at the tensions between tradition and modernity. Note the artist's choice of perspective, drawing our eyes upward and into the unknown. Stark contrasts are drawn between the aged stone steps and the pink buildings with their weathered shutters. Telephone poles and electrical wires intrude into the sky, signaling the rise of technology. The painting may be a subtle commentary on the disruption of established ways of life by new technological developments. Zerbe was a German émigré; perhaps this setting is based on one that he knew in Europe. As historians, we consider the artist's biography, the artistic trends of the time, and the relationship between art and social change to gain a fuller understanding. We can look to the literature and art of the era to learn more about such cultural anxieties.