Slaves

Nolde was an artist determined to adhere to his innate strength and conviction, moving away from the psychological despair and anxiety that characterized groups like Die Brücke, of which he had been a member. Graphic works like Slaves demonstrate Nolde's deep interest in primitivism and non-Western cultures, and most likely stem from his travels to the South Seas. The choice to depict slavery, a far-reaching consequence of colonialism, indicates his disillusionment with modern nations and industrialization.