"Never Think before You Act" 1921

Editor: This is "Never Think before You Act," a woodcut print made in 1921 by M.C. Escher. It feels very theatrical to me, like looking at a stage set with stark lighting. What jumps out to you about the work? Curator: Well, Escher is so interesting, particularly when viewed through a historical lens. It's impossible to ignore how societal shifts in the 1920s influenced artists. What kind of socio-cultural symbolism do you notice present within Escher's work, as he is quoted as believing, "my prints are a series of symbolic images"? Editor: The title, “Never Think before You Act," coupled with the figure seemingly directing the light suggests a critique of thoughtless action. But what historical events might Escher have been responding to? Curator: Considering its creation shortly after World War I, it's possible that it could reflect the widespread disillusionment and questioning of authority and tradition present in society, where people no longer agreed or liked established values. A figure charging forward with perhaps ill intent, uncalculated direction into the black space behind? What are your thoughts? Editor: That’s fascinating! Seeing it in light of the postwar period makes the work feel even more urgent. It transforms the starkness from theatrical into a potentially tragic exploration of unchecked will. Curator: Exactly. And the stark black and white woodcut amplifies that sense of a world divided, almost binary in its moral implications. It prompts us to ask: What did ‘progress’ and ‘modernity’ really mean, and at what cost? Editor: I learned something new from this analysis; by seeing the work in its historical context, I hadn’t thought of those critical themes earlier. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. Examining a work from the stance of social history allows us to see the role and cultural impact artists such as Escher had within society. I gained something new too!