Nocturnal Cathedral

November 4 is the birthday of artist Eugene Berman (American, born Russia, 1899 – 1972).

 

A leader among the Surrealist and Neo-Romantic artists, Berman often combined the two styles in his imaginary landscapes: architectural forms in deserted vistas, with romanticized figures that allude to classical figure studies. His imagery provides a commentary on the decay of the modern world, which Berman portrayed as being in ruins.

 

 

In this print from 1951, he approaches familiar themes from a different direction. Here is an imaginary classical building, yes; but instead of a lonely structure in a desolate scene, it’s a massive cathedral completely removed from context. Is it a ruin? A mirage? We can’t know for sure, because we’re captive behind a towering brick wall that shifts in and out of focus around the picture frame. Lowering darkness prevents a clear view; a shivering tiny moon is no help at all. 

 

Berman has deftly swapped the visual vocabulary of vast loneliness for that of claustrophobia, to the same effect of profound isolation. The cathedral may be real; it may be a memory: but we will never reach it.