De hoogepriester 1923

Erich Wichmann made this lithograph called "The High Priest" in 1923. It depicts a figure that could be interpreted as a member of the clergy, rendered in a way that suggests the artist is more interested in the social role of the Church, than religious feeling. Wichmann was a provocative figure in the Dutch art scene in the 1920s and he was known for his outspoken social and political opinions. After his experience in World War I, he was a convinced pacifist. Looking at this image, it's hard not to interpret it as a commentary on power structures. The high priest is presented in a way that highlights their bulk, and position rather than their individual humanity. To understand this image better, one might research Dutch social and political views of the Church in the 1920s. One could also compare this image to other images of religious figures, to determine the extent to which Wichmann's is challenging the establishment.