15197 („Ich bin die Nemesis …“) 1931

Editor: This is "15197 (\u201eIch bin die Nemesis \u2026\u201c)" from 1931, by John Elsas. It’s a mixed media piece, watercolor and collage on paper, and it has such a delicate, ephemeral quality to it. The figure seems almost to float. How do you interpret this work? Curator: The figure and title certainly invoke classical imagery, but with a starkly modern sensibility. “I am Nemesis...” Nemesis is the Greek goddess of retribution. The title suggests the speaker is someone enacting revenge against those that transgress. The figure almost seems to be built up by multiple elements and the colorization is not what we would normally imagine for such an imposing figure, so perhaps we should examine what transgression the speaker is atoning for? What elements might speak to you in terms of its identity? Editor: I guess the handwritten text is key to its personal and social context? It reads like a declaration against submitting to injustice, very evocative. So, you're suggesting it’s about societal resistance and personal morality? Curator: Precisely. Considering the historical context of 1931 Germany, this Nemesis figure might embody a warning against the rising tide of authoritarianism, perhaps also grappling with the complexities of justice, agency, and the role of art as a form of resistance in times of oppression. Editor: It's amazing how such a small piece can contain such weighty themes. Thanks, this has helped me understand how context can completely transform an initial impression. Curator: Absolutely, art acts as a mirror and a hammer to historical moments and broader social issues. I'm glad it resonated!