17373 (_The woman must …_) 1932

John Elsas created this collage entitled *The woman must…* at an unknown date using paper and cardboard. The work shows two figures, presumably a man and a woman. The childish, geometric style and nonsensical title invite curiosity about the artist’s motivations. Made in Germany, perhaps during or after the Weimar Republic, this collage is ripe for historical interpretation. The handwritten note, “The woman must watch the man, so that he does not do stupid things,” suggests a critique of gender roles. We might ask: what social and cultural forces could have inspired such a sentiment? Was Elsas involved in any feminist movements? The collage aesthetic itself could be a comment on the established art world of the time. Was he rejecting traditional artistic values? By consulting the artist’s personal writings, as well as historical records from the time, we can develop a deeper understanding of this unique piece and its commentary on the social structures of its time.