Steep Road 1934

Wanda Gág created this lithograph entitled ‘Steep Road’, and here we see a path, almost a stream, cutting through a landscape with what looks like a road. Roads and pathways are ancient symbols, appearing in mythologies and art across cultures. They symbolize journeys, both literal and metaphorical. In ancient Greece, Hermes, the messenger god, was often depicted with winged sandals, traversing pathways between the divine and mortal realms. This idea of transit is also present in Egyptian mythology with the weighing of the heart ceremony, which dictates passage into the afterlife. But, in this print, the steepness may suggest something more psychological. Think of it as a metaphor for life’s journey, with all of its struggles and difficult paths we must embark on, which are often uphill battles. Just as pathways in art continue to evolve, so too does our own interpretation of life. These themes cycle through our collective consciousness, reappearing in art and life.