Panik c. 1923

Karl Wiener created this striking watercolor titled “Panik”. Born in Vienna in 1901, Wiener’s artistic career was tragically cut short by the atrocities of World War II, reflecting the tumultuous times in which he lived. In “Panik”, figures are scattered across a landscape dominated by a fiery red sky. The painting encapsulates the sense of fear, uncertainty, and displacement that defined the interwar period. The figures, rendered in simple, almost childlike forms, appear to be fleeing or caught in moments of desperation. Their gestures—arms raised, bodies contorted—speak to a collective sense of helplessness. This work serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and oppression. Wiener’s personal history as a Jewish artist during the rise of Nazism adds another layer of meaning to this poignant depiction of mass hysteria and the loss of control. It leaves us contemplating the fragility of human existence when confronted with overwhelming social and political upheaval.