Requiem 1942

Karl Wiener made this somber drawing, Requiem, in 1942. The pencil strokes are dense, a storm of grey that feels both precise and agitated. You can sense the artist bearing down, hatching and cross-hatching to create this haunted vision. I keep coming back to the way the skulls are stacked, precarious and tottering. It's like the weight of history, or maybe the inevitability of death, is pressing down on the figure below. The figure looks like it's trying to bear the impossible weight. Look closely, and you'll see the subtle shifts in tone that give each skull its distinct character. Wiener’s Requiem is a powerful reminder of art's ability to confront the darkest aspects of human existence. It reminds me of the stark, graphic quality of Käthe Kollwitz’s prints, in their shared commitment to portraying human suffering. It's a conversation across time, a meditation on mortality that continues to resonate.