Selbstbildnis mit steifem Hut (Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat) 1921
maxbeckmann
minneapolisinstituteofart
print, drypoint
facial expression drawing
germany
pencil sketch
caricature
junji ito style
portrait reference
pencil drawing
pen-ink sketch
limited contrast and shading
portrait drawing
tattoo art
drypoint
Max Beckmann's 1921 lithograph *Selbstbildnis mit steifem Hut* (Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat) showcases the artist's distinct style. The work features a close-up view of Beckmann's face, accentuated by a dark bowler hat and a strong, angular perspective. The use of bold lines and heavy black shading creates a sense of psychological intensity, reflecting the anxieties and uncertainties of the post-war era. The image is further enriched by the inclusion of a partially obscured figure in the background, adding to the enigmatic nature of the composition. This self-portrait exemplifies Beckmann's ability to capture the complexities of the human psyche in a powerful and compelling manner.
Comments
In this 1921 self-portrait Beckmann depicts himself as a dandy with a bowler hat, stiff collar, and cigarette. The profile of a cat sitting on a table behind him to the left and an ashtray and kerosene lamp to his right fill out the tight composition. Beckmann created about eighty self-portraits over a career that spanned virtually half a century. He used his own image and persona to delve into the complexities of the human soul, showing the variety of selves that make up an individual. In Self-Portrait in Bowler Hat, Beckmann shows that he is every bit the modern man, confident in his powers of observation and cool, critical detachment.
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