Kasernenbesetzung 1931

"Kasernenbesetzung" (Barracks Occupation) is a 1931 woodcut by German artist Gerd Arntz. Created in the style of a graphic novel, the artwork depicts the occupation of a barracks with a stark black and white palette and simplified figures. The scene is divided into multiple panels, each depicting a different moment of the event. Arntz’s focus on geometric shapes and his use of negative space emphasize the rigidity and the power of the authority figures, contrasting them with the subdued figures of the people in the barracks. This piece is an example of Arntz's powerful use of visual language to comment on social and political issues.