Como 1925

Ossip Zadkine painted this image of Como, Italy, rendered in oil. Notice the recurring motif of barriers: the fence, the tightly shuttered windows, and the shadowed doorways. These elements speak to a broader, historically persistent theme: enclosure and exclusion. Think of the medieval walled cities, designed for defense but also division. Or consider the garden gate, a threshold laden with symbolic weight, promising entry to paradise while simultaneously guarding against the untamed wilderness. These gates and enclosures, appearing in works across different eras, often reflect societal anxieties about outsiders and the desire for control. Psychologically, these boundaries might represent our personal defenses, the barriers we erect to protect ourselves from vulnerability. In viewing "Como," we are drawn into a contemplation of what is kept in, what is kept out, and the emotional implications of these choices. This is a recurring theme in art, reflecting our ongoing struggle with openness and isolation.