Eurythmy, 1919

The humoristic surreal character from Fritz von Herzmanovsky’-Orlando’s (1877–1954) colored crayon drawing Eurythmy immediately catches the viewer’s eye. The focus is on a figure composed of heterogeneous body parts. Animalistic elements on the head and neck protruding from a red corpus are linked with legs in heels. Further figures can be seen in the hilly landscape, reinforcing the impression of a magically distorted reality. Two bizarre pairs of figures, fused together like Siamese twins, as well as cherube-like figure swinging an oversized nail in the air, seem to be focused on the central creature – defending it? Or rather conducting it? The title Eurythmy refers to the life-reforming dance practices which are associated with Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), the founder of Anthroposophy. The sheet is part of a series of ironic and critical graphics, which – as Herzmanovsky-Orlando’s literary works – are imbued with imagination.

MSch, 2025