16563 („Es ist der Mann sehr beladen …“) 1932

John Elsas made this paper collage, titled "16563," but we don't know exactly when. What strikes me is how Elsas builds this simple scene with just paper, scissors, and glue. It’s all about shape and color and a kind of raw construction. Look at the man's tunic, a patchwork of blues, greens, and yellows – like little bursts of emotion. And the woman’s dress, grounded with those earthy browns, but then those wild, vibrant flowers popping out! The contrast is so visually arresting. It’s like Elsas is saying something about the push and pull between our inner lives and how we present ourselves to the world. I wonder what he was thinking when he chose to add that text at the bottom of the image. This piece reminds me a bit of the early cut-outs by Matisse, that same sense of joy and playfulness with form and color. Both artists show us that art isn’t about perfection, it’s about feeling and expression, and embracing the beauty of imperfection.