Pariah: The Legend 3: Colossal Figure 1924

Curator: This lithograph is titled "Pariah: The Legend 3: Colossal Figure" by Ernst Barlach, currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: There's an immediate rawness to it. The figure feels monumental, brooding, and vulnerable all at once. The density of the lithographic marks adds to this emotional weight. Curator: Barlach, active in the early 20th century, often grappled with themes of social alienation and spiritual searching in his works. His art was greatly impacted by the sociopolitical climate. Editor: And you see that so clearly in the starkness of the materials and the rough, almost violent application of the lithographic crayon. It speaks to a deep unease with the established order. Curator: Exactly. Barlach's work, particularly this series, critiqued the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and war, aligning with Expressionist concerns of the time. Editor: Considering the production techniques and the Expressionist element, the figure feels more like a symbol of the collective human experience than an individual. Curator: The title "Pariah" underscores this sentiment, highlighting a figure ostracized by society. Editor: A somber yet important piece. I find myself contemplating the figure's purpose within society, given its raw vulnerability and grand size. Curator: Indeed, a provocative reflection on our shared humanity and its struggles.