Plate III 1921

Curator: Klaus Wrage's "Plate III," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a striking visual narrative through the stark contrast of black and white. Editor: It feels almost like a ritual—a somber ceremony of sorts. There's a person in the water, surrounded by two figures, almost like they are being initiated into something. Curator: The composition, with its radiating lines and concentric circles, certainly evokes a sense of the spiritual. Consider the societal context: the rise of expressionism and the exploration of inner emotional states. Editor: Absolutely! The woodcut itself, with its bold cuts, echoes that raw, unfiltered emotion. I can almost feel the cold water and the weight of the moment. Curator: The political dimensions may also be important—with the focus on the body and spiritual life, we might see a reaction to the strictures of societal structures. Editor: It makes you wonder what kind of rebirth, or even departure, Wrage was hinting at with this stark, stunning image. Curator: Indeed, "Plate III" is both an artistic artifact of a certain time, and an intriguing symbol.