Irma Stern Artworks
I am busy working through Irma Stern's journal. The drawings and entries for p17 and p18 are shown above. I quote:
"Page 17: My brain cries out; flee; flee; plague; the heads are swathed in rags; gigantic; the plague is killing my brain; and then an implacable force; and I go with them, yet I wanted to flee.
Let's start with page 17,
If you look at the two pages I don’t think it is drawn the same day. The reason why I say that is that the colors differ from the two pages. The blue and the brown, on page 17, and then the brown on p18 differ. There is no turquoise on p18 and if she draws it at the same time, the same colors I think would be used, or similar. Also if you look at the background colors there is a difference.
There is no date on p17, so it is hard to tell what date, time, or year the picture was drawn.
I also can see the notes are in German.
It is very difficult to say where the plague is what she talks about. I did research and can't really find something worth writing about.
She says here her brain shouts go away there is a plague. The heads as seen in the images are covered with old cloth (rags) - typically used for cleaning. She said swathe and the meaning on the internet says it is - warp in several layers of fabric. As shown in the picture. She used the word gigantic, so it was big. Then she uses the word "pestilence" which is busy killing her brain.
The difference between plague and pestilence is, that I searched it on the internet.
"What was the pestilence?
pestilence. Pestilence is a deadly and overwhelming disease that affects an entire community. The Black Plague, a disease that killed over thirty percent of Europe's population, was certainly a pestilence. ... A disease that causes widespread crop damage or animal deaths can also be called a pestilence."
A sample of a pestilence is as follows:
"A pestilence of flies surrounding an Egyptian woman and child. The definition of a Pestilence is any infectious, fatal disease that is widespread or an evil influence or deliverer. An example of a pestilence is the bubonic plague. An example of a pestilence is a swarm of mosquitoes carrying the disease."
In her case, I think in my opinion it was fleas.
If you look at what bubonic plague is, is the following:
"Bubonic plague is one of three types of plague caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. One to seven days after exposure to the bacteria, flu-like symptoms develop. These symptoms include fever, headaches, and vomiting. Swollen and painful lymph nodes occur in the area closest to where the bacteria entered the skin."
Is bubonic plague curable?
All forms are treatable and curable if detected early enough. Bubonic plague is the most common form of plague globally and is caused by the bite of an infected flea. ... Bubonic plague can advance and spread to the lungs, which is the more severe type of plague called Pneumonic plague."
So the internet says the following about pestilence and plague:
"Difference between pestilence and plague.
As nouns the difference between pestilence and plague
is that pestilence is any epidemic disease that is highly contagious, infectious, virulent, and devastating while the plague is the bubonic plague, the pestilent disease caused by the virulent bacterium ''Yersinia pestis ."
Meaning of Yersinia pestis:
"Yersinia pestis (formerly Pasteurella pestis) is a Gram-negative, nonmotile, rod-shaped, coccobacillus bacterium, with no spores. It is a facultative anaerobic organism that can infect humans via the Oriental rat flea."
What is the Oriental rat flea?
"The Oriental rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis), also known as the tropical rat flea, is a parasite of rodents, primarily of the genus Rattus, and is a primary vector for bubonic plague and murine typhus. This occurs when the flea has fed on an infected rodent and bites a human, although this flea can live on any warm-blooded mammal."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_rat_flea
p17 " - and then an implacable force -"
In my opinion, it was an enemy which she could not stop. But she went with them although she wants not. The enemy, in my opinion, the enemy can be the people with here which is been effected. But she still goes with them.
Lastly, it looks like a figure at the feet of the people and assumes it is a dead body.
This image is a photo of the Oriental rat flea.
I quote page 18 -
“1915 Zoppot
The sea roars rhythmically - I stand at the open window - the beach shines white - tremblingly white - the moon is up in the air - a moon swallowed by heavy clouds - and here and there stand trees - the wind blows the open world into my house -”
This is an image of Sopot or also known as Zoppot.
1915 Sopot/Zoppot Ansichtskarte/Postkarte/Ostseebad Zoppot/Kurgarten mit See 2-3
Molo, Sopot - 1915 rok, stare zdjęcia
History of Sopot.
After the first partition of Poland in 1772, Sopot fell under Prussian rule and was known as Zoppot.
“After the defeat of Napoleon in Russia and the retreat of the French army from Moscow, a French military surgeon Jean Georg Haffner settled in Gdańsk, where he bought a piece of land and then in 1823 built a small bathing complex. A year later, the first Spa House was created here. Thanks to Haffner’s activity, a nearby park was established (which still exists today), walking paths were marked out and the first pier built. The first patients came to Sopot, and the town began to be known as a bathing resort."
You will see the peer in the photos.
“After the railway was extended from Koszalin to Gdańsk and Warsaw including Sopot in 1870 the town began to develop quickly. In 1901, Sopot was granted city rights by the German Kaiser and the resort began to become a very fashionable place in Europe – it was called the Riviera of the North. In 1909, the Forest Opera was created."
“The name of the city in the logo gives expression to the brand. Sopot is itself a value. For over 100 years, spa patrons and tourists have been visiting the seaside resort for health and relaxation.
The combination of elements underlines the diversity of Sopot, thanks to which both residents and guests are able to improve their state of mind and body.
A taut sail is a call to action. It refers to positive energy, associated with movement and sport and allowing one to live life to the fullest.
The artistic signature emphasizes the unique character, peculiarities, and qualities of the city. It highlights things, places, situations, events that are unique and as yet unknown.”
Source:
My opinion about page 18:
it is evening and the clouds at the bottom of the page. It looks like if the moon sits on top. There are dark brush strokes which I assume is to show it is night.
She said the sea roars, it is what wild animals do or a lion. So she hearts it very clearly. She looks from the open window to the beach and because of the moon, it shines white.
There were a lot of clouds and she sees the tree's in the moonlight.
Because of the clouds which move there is a wind, and maybe it is going to rain. I understand it must be a very cool evening.
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