The actors 1942

Max Beckmann's "The Actors" (1942), is a triptych composed of three distinct scenes. It is a complex and layered work, typical of the artist's style, known as German Expressionism. The central panel features a costumed king, holding a dagger, surrounded by a crowd of figures. The right panel depicts a woman applying makeup, while the left panel shows figures in an interior setting, with one figure holding a newspaper. Beckmann often explored themes of alienation and social commentary, and his work often reflects the political and social upheaval of the time. "The Actors" is housed in the Fogg Museum at Harvard Art Museums, Cambridge, MA.