This art show, showcasing portraits from German painters between the two world wars, is PHENOMENAL. I haven't seen it, but I have seen many of the paintings in Berlin. These are some of my favorite paintings and artists, borne out of a very tumultuous time in German history. These representations of the Berlin demi-monde during the Weimar Republic express the political instability of the time through stilted imagery and the almost grotesque portrayals of characters on the scene and are extremely special. I am particularly compelled by the darkness and ominous nature of the subjects and colors, their density almost anticipating the rise of the National Socialist party and the ensuing political nightmare. If you have a chance to see the show at the Metropolitan in NYC, please go.
It is always fascinating to consider just exactly what social, psychological, or political forces pull the art of an era out of the past, giving it immediacy and relevancy for our present. Why was this show curated? A personal fancy? A political motive? A cultural similarity or total contrast?
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