Neighbors (Nachbarn) 1918

Editor: We're looking at Emil Nolde's "Neighbors," an etching from 1918. The stark lines and close proximity of the figures create a sense of tension, almost claustrophobia. How would you interpret this work in light of the social and political context of the time? Curator: It's vital to understand that Nolde produced this during a tumultuous period in German history, nearing the end of World War I. How do you think the experience of the war influenced Nolde and his artistic production? Editor: I imagine the anxiety and disillusionment would be overwhelming. Maybe that's why the figures seem so strained and disconnected, even though they’re physically close. Curator: Precisely. The use of etching, with its capacity for creating harsh lines and textures, speaks to a desire to represent a raw, unfiltered reality. We see this ethos reflected in other artists from the Expressionist movement. Moreover, consider the public role of art during wartime. Did it serve as propaganda, catharsis, or resistance, or a complex blend of all three? Editor: That's a great point. The image definitely resists any sense of nationalistic pride. These figures are intensely human and seem weighed down. Curator: And that perhaps, is the key. By foregoing heroic depictions and embracing the intimate struggle, Nolde critiques the societal structures that perpetuated the war. Where do you see the artist taking a stand, explicitly, within the work? Editor: It's subtle, but in the expressions. Neither seems aggressive; more resigned. It challenges the idea of enemies as monsters; maybe implying we're all just people stuck in terrible situations. I'd never thought about Nolde's work this way before. Thank you! Curator: It’s a pleasure. Thinking about art as part of society gives us so much more perspective on both.