Self-portrait with Hat 1921

Curator: This is Max Beckmann's "Self-portrait with Hat," currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Beckmann, born in 1884, was a prominent figure in the New Objectivity movement. Editor: Wow, what a face! It's like looking into a soul stripped bare, all those harsh lines digging deep. Curator: The stark black and white etching really intensifies that effect. The hat and suit are bourgeois trappings, yet the eyes convey a profound sense of unease. Editor: It’s like he’s daring you to judge him, but also begging for you to see past the surface. The hand, so prominently displayed, feels like an offering... or maybe a plea. Curator: Many view this as a reflection of the artist’s internal struggles and the broader socio-political anxieties of the time. The rise of extremism in Germany certainly cast a long shadow. Editor: Art, right? Always a mirror and a hammer. Curator: Precisely. It’s a powerful statement on identity, alienation, and the burden of self-awareness. Editor: Yeah, and it makes me want to go home and paint something raw, you know? Thanks, Max. Curator: Indeed, a compelling image to contemplate.