Orson Welles’ The Trial : Concept Art and Stills

Orson Welles' 1962 adaptation of Franz Kafka's The Trial remains one of cinema's most haunting and enigmatic works. His vision of the novel’s surreal bureaucracy and labyrinthine oppression unfolds not just through the lens of film, but through the meticulous sketches and concept art that paved the way for its striking visual language. This exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Welles' creative process, showcasing the preliminary drawings and designs that formed the foundation of the film’s distinctive aesthetic.

The Trial is a film that defies easy interpretation—its stark sets, angular architecture, and ominous shadows reflect the disorienting world that protagonist Josef K. (played by Anthony Perkins) inhabits. The concept art presented here illustrates Welles’ deep engagement with Kafka’s themes of alienation, absurdity, and powerlessness. Each drawing, rendered in charcoal, pencil, and ink, captures the tension between the cold institutional environments and the emotional turmoil of K., translating Kafka’s existential dread into visual form.

The sketches in this exhibition reveal how Welles used conceptual drawings to bring Kafka’s abstract ideas to life. Through striking architectural studies, ominous character designs, and spatial arrangements, the artists worked to create a world where reality constantly bends and shifts. The unsettling angles, distorted perspectives, and minimalist yet oppressive set designs were all envisioned long before the first frame of film was shot. These early explorations, often brimming with dark humor, bring to life a bureaucratic nightmare that is at once timeless and strangely modern.

This exhibition is not just a journey through the evolution of a film, but an invitation to explore the intersection of literature, art, and cinema. Through these works, the viewer can gain an understanding of how Welles’ genius extended beyond the camera—how it was embedded in the very bones of the film’s design and artistic direction.