Quite Dead, with His Head Broken (Book IX: Preliminary Investigation, facing p.352) 1949

Curator: Well, this is dark... and intriguing. Makes me think of an old black and white film. Editor: That’s putting it mildly! The artwork before us is "Quite Dead, with His Head Broken," created by Fritz Eichenberg in 1949. This piece, a print, presents a scene straight from a dramatic narrative. Curator: Narrative indeed! The linework feels agitated, contributing to the overall disquiet. It's the scene of a crime, surely? You've got figures looming over a body... the composition leads you right there. Editor: Precisely. Eichenberg frequently engaged with literary works, using his art to address social injustices. Given the date, it’s hard not to view this through the lens of post-war anxiety and violence – the materiality of print allows for reproducibility to be sure! The sharp delineation and chiaroscuro heightens the drama, yes. Curator: It's theatrical! Look at that man in the top hat reading the note, casting judgment like some kind of malevolent bird. There's a touch of caricature, right? And the victim’s pose—it almost borders on melodramatic, I wonder why it almost looks funny… morbid, perhaps. Editor: Undoubtedly. He was engaging with satirical traditions using line art techniques, quite the norm in terms of the time's social climate! And yet I'm sure many would agree with you, seeing the melodrama behind this piece of print! There are others behind these characters also and it leaves me wondering about the social relations involved! It might also hint towards social structures and power dynamics… Curator: Power, definitely, seems like somebody pulled some strings.. Editor: It could be that it’s more to do with economic instability of production but ultimately both would play a part in the production of art as an output. But with these lines it makes me see the process so evidently! Curator: Alright! Well, thinking it through makes the grim humour ever so apparent, making me appreciate Eichenberg's technique even more. It is the darkness that lightens the piece overall and not vice-versa! Editor: The choice of material emphasizes a very clear engagement of how production would impact the quality of the medium - making it into this satirical piece in all its gruesome form. The print is effective for social awareness. Thanks for taking the journey!