The Garden of Asses II 1939

Albert Bloch created "The Garden of Asses II" using expressive brushstrokes and a palette of earthy tones. The composition is dense, featuring multiple figures of donkeys scattered within a landscape that is as much emotional terrain as it is physical space. Bloch employs a fractured, almost Cubist-like approach to form, breaking down the donkeys and the surrounding landscape into angular shapes. This fragmentation destabilizes the conventional representation, challenging our perceptions of space and perspective. The layering of colors and forms creates a sense of depth, yet the lack of clear spatial organization emphasizes the artwork's symbolic dimension. The title itself prompts a semiotic reading, inviting us to consider the donkey as a signifier. Here, the repetitive presence of donkeys may challenge fixed meanings, encouraging us to question conventional associations. "The Garden of Asses II" functions as a site of ongoing interpretation, reflecting broader philosophical concerns.