Untitled (Two Heads) 1969

Peter Blume created this etching, "Untitled (Two Heads)," in 1969. Here, we see two heads rendered with expressive lines. One appears to be screaming, while the other seems to be mocking it. Notice the crown-like adornment on the screaming head— a symbol of power or torment? This motif echoes across centuries, from classical depictions of tragic figures to medieval illustrations of suffering saints. Compare it with theatrical masks used in ancient Greek drama. These masks, often depicting exaggerated emotions, served to amplify the inner states of characters on stage. The emotional intensity of the screaming figure in Blume’s etching engages us on a visceral level, tapping into our collective memory of pain and suffering. It is a non-linear, cyclical progression of a symbol, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.