Männliche Bildnisstudie (Male Profile) [p. 43] 

Max Beckmann rendered this male profile study in pencil on paper. The exaggerated hat and nose, immediately remind us of the Commedia dell'Arte characters of the Italian Renaissance, figures that have long been vessels of satire and social critique. That exaggerated nose, in particular, evokes the archetype of the trickster, a figure who transcends time, appearing in various forms across cultures, from Punch in puppet shows to the figures found in ancient Roman comedies. It represents the disruption of social norms, a symbol of rebellious wit. Beckmann's rough lines do not simply depict a man; they invoke a lineage of social commentary, tapping into our collective memory of those who dared to question authority. This image invites us to reflect on the timeless human impulse to challenge and subvert, a force that resonates with the viewer. It's a visual echo of the past, re-imagined through Beckmann's modern lens.