"Babylon the great is fallen..." XVIII.2 

Bernard Reder etched "Babylon the great is fallen..." XVIII.2, conjuring a world of apocalyptic upheaval. At its heart, a regal figure reclines amidst opulence, evoking ancient symbols of power and decadence. The image overflows with symbols. A crown, displaced and seemingly discarded, sits in the lower right corner. In contrast, the rising winged figure above alludes to divine retribution. Such symbols are a constant in our cultural memory, surfacing across epochs. Consider the motif of the fallen empire, echoed in myriad artistic expressions from classical tragedies to Renaissance paintings. Here, Reder seems to tap into a deeper, collective anxiety about the transience of earthly power. The emotional intensity of the image is palpable. The stark contrasts and chaotic composition evoke a sense of impending doom, engaging the viewer on a visceral level. It's as if the subconscious fears and anxieties of humanity are laid bare, reflecting the cyclical nature of history and the inevitable collapse of even the grandest civilizations.