Primavera 

Imre Reiner created this woodcut, Primavera, at some point during his long career. With its dove, flowers, and the suggestion of a bright new season, this print seems to offer a message of hope, but it’s worth remembering that Reiner was a Jewish artist working in Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. The simplified forms and stark contrasts owe something to German Expressionism. During this time, many German artists turned to printmaking as a means of expressing political dissent. Reiner himself would have been caught up in the rise of fascism, which led to the persecution of many artists and the closure of important art schools. In this context, Primavera can be seen as an understated act of resistance. The historian can tell you that understanding the meaning of art is tied to understanding the institutions and social forces of its time.