[HarryHirsch]

Counterpoint to the mandatory optimism: https://harpers.org/blog/2008/01/brecht-to-those-who-follow-...

[ggm]

Brecht was however, fundamentally an optimist. Consider "in praise of communism".

You could have pointed to woodcuts by Masreel if you really wanted to lower the mood. More depressing art of the working poor I cannot think of, Doré aside.

[HarryHirsch]

W.H. Auden possessed great sanity: "As I went out one evening ..."