Cover of the woodcut series “Schlemihl” 1915

This is the cover of the woodcut series “Schlemihl” by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner. Here, the crowd of figures, with their grotesque and mask-like faces, evoke the symbol of the restless soul, adrift in a world of shifting values, much like figures in expressionist art. Now, consider the raised hands. This gesture has roots stretching back to ancient rituals, a plea to the heavens, a sign of distress, or even the raised hands of grief. This primal expression reemerges throughout art history. Think of the ecstatic gestures in religious art, the desperate cries in scenes of suffering, the need for help and guidance, all ingrained in our collective consciousness. These collective memories resonate with the viewer on a subconscious level. The faces evoke anxiety; their raised hands echo universal feelings of helplessness. Ultimately, Kirchner does not just illustrate a story, but channels the emotional and psychological turmoil, the burden of alienation, fear, and isolation. These themes resurface throughout the ages.