Highwayman 1935 - 1944

Editor: Here we have Arnold Peter Weisz-Kubínčan’s “Highwayman,” created between 1935 and 1944, using pastels. The loose, gestural lines give it such an ephemeral feeling. How do you interpret this work, especially considering the period it was made in? Curator: Given the timeframe, 1935 to 1944, it's impossible to separate this piece from the rising tide of fascism and the upheavals of World War II. This “Highwayman”, is he a romantic figure, or a symbol of displacement, dispossession, even resistance? Editor: That’s a great point. I was only considering it formally but the social context gives me pause. The pose is so relaxed, almost reclining… yet, you’re right, is that a forced relaxation, maybe the last moment of peace? Curator: Exactly! The medium itself – pastel – speaks to fragility, to something easily disrupted. Consider, too, Kubínčan's own identity, or rather the identities that were imposed upon him under such a regime. Where did he belong in the social order? Was he seen as “other?" The very act of depicting a figure in such a precarious pose could be read as a quiet act of defiance, an assertion of humanity against dehumanization. How does the artistic style add to the message? Editor: The expressionistic style definitely amplifies the emotional weight. The colors feel muted and anxious. I initially missed this, as they blend in harmoniously at first glance, but on closer look they add so much tension. Curator: Precisely. The beauty of art lies in its ability to hold multiple, even contradictory, meanings simultaneously. This piece reminds us that even in times of darkness, the human spirit—and artistic expression—persists, even resists. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding the artist and this period. Thank you for shining a new light on “Highwayman”. Curator: My pleasure, and it illustrates perfectly that art isn't created in a vacuum, it reflects, questions and shapes our world, past and present.