The Refugee by Felix Nussbaum

Within modern art, the topic of suffering is addressed in many different ways. Because of the globalized world, we can see how suffering is felt by people everywhere, and how many people respond to it. Some see suffering as a way to be inspired and be a catalyst for newer and more incredible works of art showing how people suffer and deal with suffering. Paintings like “The Scream” by Edvard Munch show how painters can explain their suffering through their art. (http://simonbrushfield.com/creativity-suffering-inspiration/) The guardian begins to explain in their article entitled “The art of suffering”, that “an artist’s more profound suffering-whether emotional or psychological-can often seem to enhance their work” and call the idea of suffering creating inspiration “trauma culture”, and tend to see this idea throughout most modern art. (http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/artblog/2008/feb/21/theartofsuffering)

Theodicy is the question of why the innocent have to suffer, and why the wicked can often prosper in their lives at the expense of others. This is a central piece not just of religions but of society in general. Many non-religious and atheist people and groups use suffering and the question of theodicy to help discredit many religions and their beliefs. Every religion has their own way of looking at suffering, and those views can dramatically change even within a religion. These differences often do bring about separations and the creation of different groups within religions. However there are a few specific theodicies that stand out and are referenced the most. One of the first theodicies is the free will theodicy. This theodicy basically says that we have to fight the devil with the power god has “given us”, that it is our responsibility, and if suffering occurs it is entirely the fault of humans, not of god. This type of theodicy argues for a more hands-off kind of god. Communion theodicy basically says suffering happens to help people be closer to god. To this theodicy, pain is a tool. This shows an intimacy with god, and is still there whether the person responds negatively or positively. Deferment theodicy basically says that suffering is “beyond human understanding”, and that it is justice and a part of god’s “plan”. Educative theodicy is basically the idea that any suffering that happens is to teach a lesson to people in general. This can be similar to Deferment theodicy in the idea that suffering is a lesson, or some kind of plan by god. Lastly is Eschatological theodicy, which is essentially the idea that suffering is beyond life and death or heaven and hell, that it transcends our normal human feeling and hurts the soul.

The piece used is “The Refugee” by Felix Nussbaum. The piece, seen above shows a man crying in the back corner next to a small bag to his left, and a long table that moves forward towards the perspective of the viewer. At the end of the table shows a globe featuring western Europe and northern Africa. It seems as if the man is at the end of this empty table that should have been filled with family and friends, but seeing the fact that the title of the piece is the refugee, many of his friends and family members may have not made it when running away from whatever disaster they may have encountered in their homeland. The man could feel guilty for being the only one to survive. The theodicy that should apply to this should be free will, because this man is terribly suffering and he tried to run away and keep his family safe, but failed and carries horrible guilt because of it. He suffered because of the evils of people, and because he didn’t have the strength to stop the evils.

"Creativity Is Turning Suffering into Creative Inspiration." Australian Contemporary Artist Simon Brushfield. 2012. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.

Barnett, Laura. "The Art of Suffering." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 2008. Web. 21 Feb. 2016.