aus Wien c. 1933

This charcoal drawing, "aus Wien," by Karl Wiener, presents an image steeped in shadow and architectural mass. The most striking symbol is the archway, an enduring motif found across millennia, from ancient Roman aqueducts to Renaissance cityscapes. The arch, traditionally a symbol of transition and passage, here seems to lead into an almost oppressive darkness. Consider its transformation: once a triumphal gateway, now a shadowed portal. The architectural elements, stark and looming, evoke a sense of enclosure and perhaps, unease. It brings to mind Piranesi's "Imaginary Prisons," where architectural grandeur becomes a labyrinth of the subconscious. The darkness isn't just a visual element, but a psychological space, a reflection of collective anxieties. This scene, with its powerful shadows and silent architecture, engages us on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical nature of symbols and their enduring power to evoke emotion.