Artwork
Hope and Despair II
Hope and Despair II is a print by Ernst Barlach. It dates from 1931 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
This painting shows two shadowy human figures wrapped in rough cloth. One figure stands tall, reaching up. The other slumps low, almost on the ground.
Barlach made this during Germany’s rough years after World War I. He often used ugly or rough shapes to show deep feelings. The artist wanted to show real pain, not pretty pictures.
Look up Ernst Barlach (German, 1870–1938) to see more of his work.
Overview
Hope and Despair II is a print by Ernst Barlach, created during Germany's tumultuous post-World War I period. The work embodies the artist's response to the era's suffering and hardship.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two contrasting figures: one upright and reaching upwards, the other slumped near the ground, both shrouded in rough cloth. This juxtaposition conveys the dual themes of hope and despair, reflecting the emotional state of the populace during the post-war years.
Technique & Style
Barlach employed rough, shadowy forms and austere composition to express intense emotional depth, aligning with his artistic philosophy that emphasized the power of ugliness and the grotesque in conveying profound feelings.
History & Provenance
Created in the aftermath of World War I, the exact date of 'Hope and Despair II' is not specified here, but it is characteristic of Barlach's post-war output, which intensely focused on the struggles of ordinary people.
Context
Part of a broader body of work by Barlach that included sculpture and prints, 'Hope and Despair II' reflects the artist's preoccupation with the plight of workers and the general populace during Germany's post-war economic and social crisis.
Legacy
As part of Barlach's oeuvre, 'Hope and Despair II' contributes to the artist's legacy of capturing the human experience of suffering and resilience in the face of war and its aftermath, influencing subsequent generations of artists exploring similar themes.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Ernst Heinrich Barlach (2 January 1870 – 24 October 1938) was a German expressionist sculptor, medallist, printmaker and writer.
