Illustration to V. Hofmannsthal, "Andreas" 1939

This illustration to V. Hofmannsthal’s "Andreas" was made by Imre Reiner in 1939, using what looks like swift, confident strokes to summon forth these figures. I can imagine Reiner's hand moving quickly, scratching the surface to catch these shadowy figures, as if trying to keep up with his imagination. I wonder, what was Reiner thinking about as he made this image? The tilted head and slightly quizzical expression of the figure on the left, juxtaposed with the hand-wringing of the figure on the right, suggest a moment of questioning, or maybe confrontation. The linear quality of the marks and textures reminds me of the Expressionist woodcuts of the early 20th century, when artists were turning to printmaking as a way to explore new forms of emotional and psychological expression. Reiner uses this history to his advantage, creating a dialogue between literature and visual art. It’s as if Reiner invites us to join in this creative exchange, to find our own meanings and connections within his evocative image.