Radosť 1990

Arnold Peter Weisz-Kubínčan created this ink drawing, titled "Radosť," or "Joy," without a specified date, though it was likely made during his time in the interwar period in Czechoslovakia. Kubínčan's identity as a Jewish artist profoundly shaped his experience and work within the context of rising antisemitism and nationalism in Europe. The drawing shows a figure with arms raised, surrounded by birds in flight, suggesting a moment of liberation. Yet, the angular, almost Cubist rendering of the figure and background hint at an underlying tension. What does joy mean when it is set against the backdrop of impending doom? Kubínčan’s life was tragically cut short during the Holocaust, adding a layer of historical weight to this piece. Reflect on how the artist’s personal history and cultural context can inform our understanding of "joy." Is it a fleeting emotion? Or a form of resistance in times of adversity?