Glück und Unglück 

Karl Wiener created this drawing titled, "Glück und Unglück," or "Happiness and Unhappiness," using ink on paper. The composition is stark, figures defined by sharp lines and minimal shading, set against an ambiguous background that evokes a sense of unease. The artist juxtaposes figures representing contrasting states. A stylized woman with flowing hair embodies a distorted ideal of beauty, while a figure cloaked in what appears to be a shroud embodies death. Wiener employs stark lines and simplified forms that create a sense of psychological tension. The figures are disconnected, each existing in their separate plane. The drawing's title suggests a commentary on the human condition, highlighting the transient nature of happiness in the face of inevitable suffering and the structural presence of binary forces in life. Wiener disrupts traditional notions of harmony and beauty, inviting us to confront uncomfortable truths about existence. This drawing is a potent reminder of art's capacity to challenge our perceptions and question the values we take for granted.