‘Spanien 1939’, ‘Grausamkeit’ (weibl. Porträt) (1939)

"Spanien 1939", "Grausamkeit" (Female Portrait) is a compelling artwork by Karl Wiener, dated 1939. This painting captures a haunting portrayal of a woman set against an abstract, color-rich background, evoking the turbulent period of the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath. The artist employs bold, vivid strokes and a spectrum of warm to cool hues to convey deep emotional contexts.The portrait features a female figure with a dominant display of reds in her hair and facial structure that starkly contrasts with the shades of blue and green of her attire. This coloring might symbolize the fiery turmoil of Spain during 1939 coupled with a sense of mourning and loss, represented by the cooler tones. Her expression is somber and reflective, suggesting a narrative of suffering or resilience amidst adversity.Wiener’s distinctive use of geometry and segmented color sections across her garment adds a layer of complexity, perhaps underlining the fragmented nature of personal and national identities in times of conflict. The stylized, almost cubist representation invites viewers to unfold the layers of meaning within personal and collective memories of historical events.This artwork not only serves as a visual representation of a historical period but also evokes a profound understanding of the resilience and suffering experienced by those affected by the cruelties of war.