Und Doch, from the series Vom Tode Zweiter Teil 1870 - 1920

Max Klinger created this etching, titled "Und Doch," as part of his series "On Death Part II". This work invites us to contemplate the relationship between the individual and the overwhelming force of mortality. Made in Germany, a nation grappling with rapid industrialization and social change, Klinger uses symbolic imagery to create meaning. The nude figure, with arms raised towards the sky, may be read as a challenge to fate, or a symbol of human defiance in the face of death. The desolate landscape and looming sky create a sense of unease and existential questioning that speaks to the fin-de-siècle anxieties of the time. Klinger’s use of etching, a medium often associated with printmaking and the democratization of art, underscores his interest in reaching a wide audience with his message. Understanding this image requires us to consider the cultural and historical context in which it was created. Scholarly resources, like exhibition catalogs, can reveal the artistic and intellectual milieu that shaped Klinger’s vision. By examining these sources, we can gain insight into the complex social and institutional forces that influenced the production and reception of this powerful work of art.