There Is No End

There Is No End, Pastel on Paper, 13” X 9”

“I observed this young tired soldier while driving through the Golan. I took out my pastels and sketched him as he sat bent over and alone. I am profoundly sad to see how quickly innocence fades as young people learn to live with loss, war, and intolerance.” ~ Ednah Schwartz

Ednah Sarah Schwartz’s artwork, rooted in her deep connection to the landscapes and people of northern Israel, often reflects both the beauty of the land and the weight of its history. In this particular piece, she captures a deeply personal and emotional moment, sketching a young, tired soldier she observed while driving through the Golan Heights. Using pastels, Schwartz conveys a profound sense of weariness and solitude in the soldier’s posture, as he sits bent over and alone, his youth overshadowed by the burdens of war.

The soft, muted colors of the pastels echo the somber mood of the scene, and her delicate strokes emphasize the fragility of the soldier’s moment of rest amidst a life marked by conflict. The artist’s heartfelt reflection, “I am profoundly sad to see how quickly innocence fades as young people learn to live with loss, war, and intolerance,” resonates powerfully in the piece. It is not just a portrayal of a soldier but a poignant commentary on the loss of innocence and the emotional scars left on the young men and women who must navigate the harsh realities of war.

This artwork embodies Schwartz’s empathy and sorrow for the human cost of conflict, as she captures the tension between the soldier’s youth and the gravity of the experiences he has endured. The sketch, though simple in its execution, holds deep emotional layers, inviting the viewer to reflect on the impact of war on individuals and the way it shapes the spirit of an entire generation.