Man and War 1942

Harry Sternberg made this print, called "Man and War," using black ink on paper. The dark hatching marks create a tense atmosphere; it's like the pressure is building up. Sternberg uses stark contrast, with a sharp, angular style, and the raw texture feels brutal. You can sense the artist digging into the plate, wrestling with the image, in a very physical way. Look at the area around the central figure; the frenzied lines and the screaming mouths that recall Munch, but with this sharp, angular style. This chaotic space contrasts so strongly with the tortured, but smooth, torso of the figure. The print reminds me of other artists of the time who were also grappling with questions of morality and war, like Otto Dix or Kathe Kollwitz. It’s not about answers, but about bearing witness, and reminding us that art can be a powerful way to feel the weight of history.