Early Modern Era Blog

Early Modern Era: "The Age of Anxiety" Essay 

    The Early 20th Century: "The Age of Anxiety" was a time in the early 20th century after World War 1. There was a widespread feeling of uneasiness that spread across America. There was a rapid sense of uncertainty that was characterized by social, political, and economic changes. All of these changes happening at once sparked fear and anxiety throughout the nation. There was a worry created for individuals about the state of the nation and what the future held. There was the devastation of World War 1 that took a toll on individuals and there was a sense of worry of what could possibly be next with so many new ideas on the rise. Art had an impact during this time as well. The artwork characterized a time of despair and a sense of loss that was reflected in the works that were created. 

    There was a societal impact that created "The Age of Anxiety." No one individual seemed to have created this era, however, there were so many contributing factors from powerful thinkers, and artists, to random conversations with individuals on the street, that seemed to cause this uproar of emotions and devastation. Had individuals not had this widespread constant reminder of the devastation that was their nation, they may have not had all of these feelings of despair so loudly exhibited. He uses the lines to create a sense of anxiety and a whirlwind of emotions. He uses value to create the light and dark areas of despair with the feelings of anxiety. he uses symbolism with the face of the main character looking worried and confused. His character was one that showcased the feelings of a whole nation. 

    One of the main artists in this era was Edvard Munch. he created a painting known as "The Scream." This painting was an expressionist style and showcased the feelings of despair that this time was known for. There is a sense of the turbulent emotions that had been showcased at this time. The bold use of color with everything seemingly disoriented and chaotic is a great representation of anxiety. I have struggled with anxiety greatly my whole life and this is a great example of what the brain feels like at times. The figure, seemingly blended in with the curvature of the lines is a powerful statement that this time was overwhelming. The people suffering seemed small with problems seemingly so large. This work was created by Edvard Munch in the early 1900s. This was a symbol of how the American people were feeling after World War 1. Edvard Munch also created a painting called "Anxiety" That was admired by many throughout the world as it showcased their feelings, they could connect to it. There were 3 figures in the same color scheme as the painting below. The figures had looks of worry on their face and they were gloom filled with despair. 

    The next work of art was "The Murdering Airplane" by Max Ernst. This image featured an airplane seemingly going through a body. It appeared very morbid yet creative. It was made in the 1920s after World War 1. This was a critical response to the war and the artist himself served in the war. This seemed to depict his feelings and how he saw the aerial warfare of WW1 take place. For regular civilians, this was an insight into how their fellow Americans were fighting for their country in such an extreme and gruesome way. The painting itself is unrealistic in the proportions and depiction of the human arms around the airplane. This served to remind individuals of the horrors that were actually going on in the war. His highlights of color on the soldier make the viewer focus on the human rather than the dull-colored plane. 

        His use of coloring seems to be a great reminder that with all of the machines that are used in war, there are still people who are being hurt and injured in these awful consequences of war. The artwork during this time was done in expressionist style. This was a style that highlighted the artist's subjective emotions and feelings of what was going on in the world. Hence the dramatization of the plane in this image.

     This painting also  enhanced the "Age of Anxiety." When people see a picture like this from a warrior who has been fighting, it creates a sense of uneasiness and nervousness. Especially for individuals who had family members that had fought in WW1. The trauma and remembrance of even other soldiers sparked a lot of anxiety. This anxiety was heightened with the reminder that something like this could happen again. This painting was created by Max Ernst and titled "The Murdering Airplane." It was made in a collage format, it is not currently hung up in a gallery and there is no record of where it was made, however, one can assume it was created in Germany after Max Ernst returned from WW1. The hands of the plane draw the viewer's attention to the dramatization of this image. The soldiers appear so small but their highlighted yellow coloring makes them stand out. In a sense, you can tell that the soldiers are so small in this aerial warfare that is going on. I personally feel the despair through this picture. The murder airplane has so many feelings created and going on that I feel if I had been alive during this time, this would have added to my growing anxiety. The color scheme enhances the image he chose to create. The depth perspective is created by the huge plane hovering over the small soldiers. He uses the elements of the line as well to create the complexity that is the airplane with the hands hanging off. Ernst also highlights shape. This is huge for the way this painting would be interpreted. The value that is created in this piece is something I really enjoy. The light and dark colors utilized are flattering on the eye. Overall, the symbolism tells the story while also highlighting and utilizing the art elements. 

 

    "The Persistence of Memory" was created by Salvador Dali in 1931. For me, this is my personal favorite piece of work that was created during this time. I loved the way he showcased the time clocks as a sense of symbolism of people's minds racing with anxiety during this time. The categorized fear and anxiety that spread over people's minds was shocking and terrifying for all involved. With the horror of the war, people's minds were clocks racing for the next catastrophic event. The lines used create the illusions of the melting clocks. 

    People's brains were melting through time with worry. He used the sense of space to create a desert. People as time passed, felt as though they were on an island with no hope for a return to normalcy. There is the illusion of depth also created in this desert space. Without the use of space and symbolism, this work would not be so creative and amazing to me. The value of colors and tones creates depth as well as there is the sun that people are chasing to have again, this represents the old and normal life that they once had but no longer do. They have so much to live for but in the moment, it feels as thought they are alone, the clocks, sinking into despair. This was my favorite piece of art from this era. 

This period of the "Era of Anxiety" traumatized individuals. They felt like they were trapped and in a time of such despair that there was no hope, they had no hope to return to the life that they once had. Their brains were tarnished to a point that they 

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