Oh Man, Take Heed 1895 

Gabriel von Max painted "Oh Man, Take Heed" in 1895. This is a very interesting choice of image, as it evokes the spiritualist and occult interests prevalent at the time. Painted in Germany, it reflects the fin-de-siècle fascination with mysticism which also influenced the burgeoning field of psychology and the study of the subconscious. We see a young woman in repose, perhaps meditating or in a trance. Her uplifted finger and faraway gaze give the sense of some kind of ecstatic vision. It's hard to overstate the grip of spiritualism on Western culture in this period. Historians of science, religion, and even art itself have shown how the decline of traditional faith and the rise of scientific rationalism prompted a search for alternative explanations and experiences. To understand this art, research into the periodicals, pamphlets and ephemera of spiritualist groups is vital. By examining the cultural context of "Oh Man, Take Heed", we can understand its deeper meaning as a reflection of its time.