Untitled 

Wols created this untitled watercolor work that features two dominant orb-like shapes, radiating with lines that both define and disrupt their forms. These circular motifs, resembling perhaps cellular structures or tree rings, evoke ancient symbols of totality and cyclical existence. The radiating lines remind one of the "sunburst" motif seen across cultures, from ancient Egyptian art to Renaissance depictions of divine figures. Here, however, the sunburst is fragmented, almost violent, suggesting a fractured sense of wholeness. This echoes the chaotic spirit of post-war art, reflecting a world grappling with destruction. Consider how the mandala, a symbol of cosmic order and psychological integration, often features radial symmetry. In Wols' composition, the symmetry is imperfect, the integration incomplete, pointing to a deep, perhaps subconscious anxiety about the disrupted order of things. The tension between order and chaos creates a powerful emotional charge. The motif becomes a poignant expression of existential unease.