In Search of Transcendental Objectivity
"What was really unhealthy and disgusting before the war was that business interests and a mania for success and influence had infected all of us in one form or another. Well, we have had four years of staring straight into the stupid face of horror. Perhaps a few people were really impressed, assuming of course anyone had the slightest inclination ot be impressed."
Max Beckmann, 1919
3 comments:
Interesting picture and quote...The date of the quote is amazing. Apparently, the human race has not learned much in the past 90 years.
I wonder if those who were impressed really needed to gaze into the face of horror.
mjd - Yes, I was struck by Beckmann's comments (and have always loved his art.
Esoterica - I love you like a sister, but I think they really have needed to gaze into the face of horror (not the bankers and governors - they never look) but the people who let the wars happen instead of crying out against them and forgot about the fact that wars are not quick and easy - those are the ones who want to be impressed by them/ourselves.
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