Untitled 

Zdzislaw Beksinski made this untitled work with pencil on paper, but we do not know when. This drawing shares many visual elements with surrealism and symbolism, exploring themes of the subconscious, dreams, and often the darker aspects of human existence. The artwork depicts a distorted human face, seemingly bound or constrained by mechanical elements. Beksinski created art in Poland, and in the Eastern Bloc generally, throughout the Cold War. We might understand the constraints within this image as alluding to the political constraints placed on artists, intellectuals, and everyday citizens during that time. It is impossible to speak freely; the population's vision is impaired. As art historians, we research the cultural contexts in which art is produced and consumed. Through archival research, historical texts, and critical analysis, we can better understand the complex relationship between art and society.