Das Zeichen des Steinbocks im Sand 2014

Siegfried Zademack painted "Das Zeichen des Steinbocks im Sand", or "The Sign of Capricorn in the Sand", using oil on canvas. This surreal image creates a stark, dreamlike space. The nude figure, encircled by weights, sits within a circle resembling the astrological sign of Capricorn. What could this arrangement signify? Germany, the nation in which Zademack was born, is steeped in the history of philosophical thought. I would suggest that this painting, made towards the end of the 20th century, is gesturing towards Existentialism. The figure appears isolated, vulnerable, and burdened by unseen forces. The title, referencing astrology, might be a commentary on the human desire for order and meaning in a chaotic world. To fully understand Zademack's intent, we might delve into his personal history. Research into the contemporary art scene in Germany at that time could reveal his artistic influences and the intellectual debates shaping his work.