Sehnsucht (Collage) (1944)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
"Sehnsucht (Collage)" (1944) by Karl Wiener is a compelling exploration into the realms of longing and desire, depicted in a surreal and evocatively abstract manner. In this piece, a monochrome image of a woman's profile glances upward, set against a stark, black background sprinkled with stars, suggesting a night sky. This figure, rendered with a nostalgic beauty typical of early 20th-century portraiture, conveys a sense of wistfulness and contemplation.The use of collage is strikingly apparent, as geometric shapes and vibrant colors form her attire, injecting modernity and abstraction into the otherwise soft, historical representation. Below the figure, a series of stylized teal trees ascend alongside her, their simplified, triangular forms reinforcing the theme of yearning that stretches toward something unseen and perhaps unattainable. The juxtaposition of the classic and the contemporary elements invites viewers to interpret the past in dialogue with the future, highlighting the universal, timeless nature of human longing captured in this artwork.Through "Sehnsucht (Collage)," Karl Wiener not only reflects on the emotive state of longing but also challenges the boundaries of traditional portrait art with a blend of historical imagery and avant-garde techniques.