This artwork, untitled and created by artist Saul Steinberg in 1962, is a fine example of expressionist caricature. It reflects the attributes of its art movement, which often seeks to depict the world subjectively and evoke emotions through distortion and exaggeration.
The artwork portrays a figure upon a dark, amorphous shadow that seems to be melting into or emerging from a flat surface distinguished by a series of numbers arranged sequentially from one to zero. The figure itself appears to be an outline sketch of a humanoid form, characterized by a simplified and stylized representation that denotes a caricature. Its posture suggests motion or progression atop the numbers, imparting a notion of temporality or perhaps commentary on the human experience with regard to numeracy or time. The contrast between the precise, crisp forms of the numbers and the more abstract, fluid nature of the shadow beneath creates a striking visual dichotomy. The artistic techniques utilized imbue the piece with a sense of dynamism and intrigue, inviting viewers to ponder its interpretation.
