Untitled 1966

This unsettling drawing was made by Zdzislaw Beksinski in 1966. Dominating the composition, we see figures marked by religious symbols: the Christian cross, the Star of David, alongside vacant, elongated faces that evoke a profound sense of alienation. The cross and the star, potent symbols of faith and identity, are here drained of their traditional comfort, hinting at the disintegration of belief. These symbols recur throughout history, meant to provide solace, yet here, they seem to preside over a landscape of despair. Think of how similar symbols appeared in times of war and plague throughout Europe. This distortion speaks to a deeper, shared anxiety—a collective memory of suffering and the subconscious fear of abandonment. The faces, devoid of expression yet full of sorrow, tap into primal emotions, engaging us on a subconscious level with powerful force. The cyclical progression of symbols, their evolution and resurfacing across different historical contexts, underscore the enduring power of images to reflect our deepest fears and anxieties.