SODOM 1996

Ernst Fuchs’ painting "SODOM" renders a biblical scene with a muted palette of grays and pinks. The approach to mark making feels painstaking, each line and shadow adding to the weightiness of the scene. The materiality of the work is striking; the textures are built up layer by layer. Look closely and you can see the individual strokes that define the figures' drapery and the architectural details. The paint seems thin in some areas, almost like a wash, while elsewhere it's more opaque, creating a sense of depth and volume. Notice the figure on the right, her arm raised in protest. The fine lines etched around her form contrast with the smoother surfaces of the surrounding figures, emphasizing her emotional turmoil. Fuchs was part of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism, which blended surrealism with religious and occult symbolism. You might see echoes of artists like Gustave Moreau in his work, both of whom revel in the ambiguity and drama of their subjects.