"And in the Open Air" (Book IV: Lacerations, facing p.158) 1949

Fritz Eichenberg's print shows a landscape dominated by a prominent three-barred cross under a turbulent sky. The cross is a potent symbol, deeply rooted in religious iconography, representing faith, sacrifice, and salvation. This three-barred cross, often associated with Eastern Christianity, also calls to mind ancient symbols of power, like the scepters of rulers, or even earlier, the totemic symbols of tribes seeking divine protection. The figure cowering near the cross evokes images of supplicants seeking solace amidst turmoil. This act of seeking refuge under a cross mirrors gestures seen throughout history, from medieval depictions of saints sheltering the faithful to ancient rituals invoking divine protection. The emotional weight of the image lies in this tension: the looming, ominous sky set against the enduring symbol of hope. It is a scene charged with a plea for deliverance, a visual echo of humanity's timeless struggle against the forces of adversity. This symbol resurfaces through history, evolving, adapting, yet always retaining its primal resonance.