"And the beast was taken..." XIX.20 

Editor: This striking woodcut print by Bernard Reder, titled "\"And the beast was taken...\" XIX.20," immediately draws you in with its intense gaze. It's incredibly textured and seems to radiate a raw energy. What do you make of its commanding presence? Curator: Raw energy, indeed! It leaps right off the page, doesn’t it? To me, it feels ancient, a kind of primordial scream captured in ink. The rough texture of the woodcut, those fierce lines… they mimic the very force of nature, of some untamed power. Do you see a mythological creature or perhaps something more symbolic? Editor: I definitely get a mythological vibe, perhaps a guardian figure? Its title also hints at a story. The beast appears formidable but the use of "was taken" hints to its demise. Is this Reder expressing an idea? Curator: Yes, "was taken" feels suggestive. The creature feels imposing, almost terrifying, and then the title deflates that. Almost mocking the false courage. This resonates with much of the commentary on power in the period, of the illusionary courage leaders seem to impose. Editor: I can see how it mirrors society's view on power. The contrast between the beast's ferocious appearance and its defeated fate gives us plenty to ponder on. Curator: Absolutely. It’s like a visual paradox, isn’t it? A creature of immense apparent power, rendered vulnerable. And isn’t that just the story of… well, everything? Editor: True. The visual and the title combine for such a memorable contradiction! Curator: Exactly, this piece of work definitely opened my eyes!