The Four Horsemen 1941

Reuben Kadish created this print titled ‘The Four Horsemen’ using lithography. The composition is a powerful arrangement of contrasting forms rendered in stark black and white. The visual effect is immediate: a dynamic, almost violent jumble of shapes that evokes chaos. Each horseman is represented through symbolic figures rather than literal depictions, challenging traditional narrative structure. Notice how Kadish uses semiotic codes; the scales of justice are emblazoned on one horse, while another is fragmented into stark geometric shapes, creating a sense of disarray and destabilization. These visual elements don’t just represent the riders but embody abstract concepts of judgement, famine, war and death. The limited tonal range enhances the graphic impact, focusing attention on the interplay between positive and negative space. This interplay invites viewers to decode the symbolic framework within a formal structure. The artwork remains a potent exploration of form and meaning that allows multiple interpretations.