The Raging Barbarian c. 1916 - 1917

Ernst Barlach’s “The Raging Barbarian” is a lithograph that captures raw emotion and physical struggle. Barlach lived through both World Wars. His art often reflects the turmoil of those times and a deep concern for the human condition. Here, the figure crawls forward, a mass of fury and desperation. The body is contorted, almost animalistic, as if stripped of its humanity by the surrounding forces. This image challenges traditional heroic narratives, instead portraying a figure of vulnerability and rage. Is this a man reduced to his most basic instincts by the horrors of war? Or is it a depiction of societal breakdown? Barlach was later deemed a degenerate artist by the Nazi regime, his work removed from public display. The emotional intensity of "The Raging Barbarian" speaks to the psychological toll of conflict, embodying the pain and resilience of individuals facing overwhelming adversity.