Bedrängnis (1929)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
The painting "Bedrängnis" by Karl Wiener, created in 1929, is an evocative and densely packed depiction that commands the viewer's attention both emotionally and visually. The artwork features a striking central figure—a young man with a penetrating gaze and glasses—who appears vividly detailed against a tumultuous backdrop of abstracted, entwined human forms and ethereal faces.This surreal and somewhat unsettling ensemble of figures, which surround the man, varies from expressionless, mask-like faces to more defined figures, both clothed and nude. These figures seem to press inward, creating a sense of claustrophobia and intensity. Notably, towards the bottom right, a skull is featured, enhancing the somber and perhaps existential themes of the work.Wiener's choice of a muted, monochromatic palette emphasizes the solemn mood and may suggest themes of alienation or internal struggle. "Bedrängnis," which translates to "distress" in English, aptly encapsulates the painting’s overwhelming sense of emotional and physical crowding, conveying a powerful sense of psychological entrapment or the burden of societal pressures.