Branding ved Bornholm 1858 - 1941

This is John Lübschitz’s “Branding ved Bornholm”, a monochromatic lithograph, capturing a scene of the sea crashing against the rocky shores of Bornholm. The turbulent waters and stormy sky evoke a sense of the sublime, a popular theme in art that stirs feelings of awe and terror. The symbol of the sea, historically, embodies both life and death, creation and destruction. From ancient mythology to modern times, the sea has been seen as a powerful, untamable force, mirroring human emotions and the subconscious. Think of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, whose moods reflect the ocean's own volatility, or the recurring motif of shipwrecks in art, representing fate and the human struggle against overwhelming odds. Consider the deluge motif that appears in the Bible and the Epic of Gilgamesh as a powerful symbol of destruction and rebirth. This cyclical progression of destruction and renewal echoes through history, resurfacing in various cultural contexts. Here, Lübschitz taps into this collective memory, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of our vulnerability in the face of nature's raw power, a theme ever-present, ever-changing, yet eternally relevant.